Still Too Poor to Star Anew

Even before last summer’s disastrous war ended, the Israeli Government had put together a generous aid package to compensate local Israelis for damaged homes and business losses. In a relatively short period of time, the topic was no longer on the news, and life has returned to “normal,” even though it’s no secret that the Arabs are rearming, which isn’t the topic at hand…

In contrast, the Disengagement Refugees, those exiled from their homes, when Arik Sharon, Ehud Olmert and gang decided to unilaterally—meaning without getting anything, even a promise, in return—destroyed their homes, communities, businesses and educational institutions, haven’t been given enough to resume their lives. The additional sum announced last week is still far from enough and not for immediate payment.

Pre-Disengagement, Gush Katif and Northern Shomron were not wealthy areas. On the whole they weren’t inhabited by strong ambitious “go-getters.” Each YESHA community has its own personality, and the residents of Gush Katif were mostly silent like the sand they lived on. Many had found their communities to be their refuge, where they had built productive, though modest, lives.

Most trusted their rabbis and community leaders, who promised them a chance to reproduce their heaven on earth, and now they’re unemployed and idle in various refugee camps for which they pay high rents. Their promised new neighborhoods haven’t been built. The insufficient compensation is being eaten daily for the lucky ones who fit the stringent criteria. The others are being buried by their overdrafts.

The refugees who had tried looking for new places to live in other parts of the country discovered that their “package” would buy a tiny slum apartment in old public housing. There was no way they could own anything like their previous homes. So they’re waiting for the building lots to be available. Maybe they can move into a tent there? At least they’ll own the land.

Then the government announced an increase, but it’s a pittance and to be paid over ten years. Many of the refugees aren’t considered “qualified,” since they were “only renters.”

The government turned these good people into refugees. They deserve sufficient compensation to rebuild their lives and homes in suitable cities, towns and yishuvim.