A series of events will be held to mark the approaching third anniversary of Ariel Sharon's 2005 Disengagement from Gush Katif, in which Israel demolished 25 of its own towns with the stated purpose of improving its security situation.

Funding for some of the memorials for the demolished towns was to come from the sale of Gush Katif memorial candles. But, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) refused to allow the airing of a radio spot for the sale of the candles because it used the word "expulsion," instead of the official term "evacuation."

"The word 'expulsion' is used by a specific public sector," the IBA explained, "and therefore is identified with a specific political stance."

Nationalist organizations responded, "They are simply scared.  They are trying to erase us, but we won't let them.  A Gush Katif candle will be lit in every Jewish home, and we will all declare together: Never again will Jews in the Land of Israel be banished."

For information on purchasing the candle, call: +972-8-858-4353.

Upcoming events commemorating the towns of Jewish Gaza:

Tuesday evening, Aug. 5:

"Remembering and Choosing Life" at Yeshivat Netiv Meir in Bayit Vegan in Jerusalem, 6:00 PM.  Discussion panels will be held, with the participation of former Gush Katif residents, members of Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria, MKs and rabbis.

The "Homesh First" organization will announce the formation of settlement seed groups for the return to Gush Katif, and the intention to return to the destroyed towns as soon as security considerations allow.

Thursday, August 7:

Israel Broadcasting Authority's Moreshet (Tradition) station will broadcast a live Gush Katif program from 6:00-8:00 PM.  Topics to be covered will include the Torah world in Gush Katif, problems and opportunities for youth, the communities, and the public perception of Gush Katif.  The show will be broadcast from the N'vei Dekalim community center, currently located in Kibbutz Ein Tzurim near Ashkelon.  The public is invited.



This past Monday, Aug. 4, a different type of event was held:

Two families from Gush Katif protested outside the IDF Tze'elim Base against its commander, Guy Tzur, who they said was one of the most cruel officers during the expulsion and before it.  "He was the one who threatened not to allow the residents to remove their cars or agricultural produce, or to detach their air-conditioners [in the greenhouses]," explained activist Boaz HaEtzni. 

The families were hampered by police trying to remove them, but managed to post signs at the entrance to the base, and left the area at 11 AM as originally planned.  "The hysterical reactions by the army and police confirm the tremendous sensitivity of the officers involved in the expulsion to unpleasant reminders of this type," HaEtzni wrote.

Gush Katif Museum

The Knesset approved last week the establishment of a Gush Katif Museum, which will function along the lines of the Yitzchak Rabin Memorial Center.  The law's sponsor, MK Uri Ariel, said it was a "small consolation to the expelled citizens... to remember this great Zionist enterprise."  The center will include a memorial, a research institute, and an archive, and will run education programs, seminars, and exhibits for schools and army soldiers.  It will also have an internet site, and will invite researchers to write theses on issues pertaining to life in, and expulsion from, Gush Katif.