Israeli leaders were split over whether there would ever really be rockets falling on Israeli territory from Gaza in the wake of an IDF pullout. IsraelNationalTV's Yehezkel Laing compiled their sentiments and predictions.



If we cut and run, Gaza will be taken over by terror organizations... Gaza's squares shall be transformed into launching platforms of Katyushas toward Ashkelon ... The only way to defeat terrorism is by controlling its bases.

Likud MK Ariel Sharon

Maariv, June 12, 1992




"Every time there is a wave of terrorism, all sorts of 'experts' say that we should unilaterally get out of Gaza. If we do so, the Gaza Strip will become a cancerous thorn of terrorism, 1,000 times more dangerous than it is now. What will we do when katyushas are fired from Biet Yachie on Ashkelon and from Biet Hanoun on Sderot?"

Tourism Minister and Moledet Leader MK Rehavam Ze'evi

Knesset Minutes, March 1993




You have to tell the citizens of Israel how you plan to prevent terrorist attacks from the Gaza Strip. How will you prevent Katyusha attacks on Ashkelon?"

Likud MK Moshe Katsav

Jerusalem Post, May 24, 1994




All you do all day is threaten that there will be Katyusha rockets landing in Ashkelon. Would you mind telling me why there are no rockets fired from Aqaba to Eilat?"

Foreign Minister Labor MK Shimon Peres

Knesset minutes

September 9, 1993




We're familiar with the Likud's horror stories. They promised us Katyushas from Gaza, but Gaza has been under the primary control of the Palestinian Authority for more than a year now, and there hasn't been a single Katyusha.

Prime Minister, Labor MK Yitzchak Rabin

Jerusalem Post

Jun 20, 1995




A particularly favored line is that the Likud's dire predictions of Gaza turning into another Lebanon, with Katyusha rockets hitting Ashkelon, have proved unrealistic and plain silly.


Jerusalem Post Editorial

Aug 11, 1995




The purpose of the Disengagement Plan is to reduce terror as much as possible, and grant Israeli citizens the maximum level of security...These steps will increase security for the residents of Israel and relieve the pressure on the IDF and security forces in fulfilling the difficult tasks they are faced with. The Disengagement Plan is meant to grant maximum security and minimize friction between Israelis and Palestinians.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

Herzliya Conference - Full speech

December 18, 2003




We must take into account that after withdrawal, Ashkelon, a major Israeli city, will be within the effective range of Kassam rockets. In the future, when sea and airports are built in Gaza and we will have no control, they will have Katyushas with a longer range that can also reach Kiryat Gat or southern Ashdod.

Major General (Res.) Yakov Amidror

Maariv, Feb. 5, 2004




Before the withdrawal from Lebanon, the Intelligence Directorate also threatened us with Katyushas reaching Hadera and we see what actually happened. I estimate, and my estimate is just as valid as those that threaten us with horrors, that after we leave the Gaza Strip, terrorism will decrease, not increase.

Former Mossad Head, Labor MK Dani Yatom

Maariv, Feb. 5, 2004




If the Disengagement plan is carried out, Kassam rocket attacks will be the lot of cities from Ashkelon to Ofakim [also inside Israel], and will become a daily occurrence.

Yisrael Beiteinu Head, MK Avigdor Lieberman

July 5, 2004




After the withdrawal, Kassam rockets will rain on Ashkelon.

NRP Head, MK Effie Eitam

Kol Israel, Israel Radio

Tuesday, June 29, 2004






I anticipate that the level of terrorism will drop after the disengagement and after pragmatic Arab forces take control.

Defense Minister, Kadima MK Shaul Mofaz

Arutz Sheva

Jul 02, 2004




We will find a full answer to the Kassams without crossing lines.

IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz

Speech at Bar Ilan University

Mar 24, 2006