Young girl removed from her home in Disengagement
Young girl removed from her home in DisengagementIsrael news photo: Flash 90

Knesset Attorney General Eyal Yinon has rejected an appeal by the head of Peace Now to remove a memorial to the Jews of Gush Katif from the Knesset.

Yariv Oppenheimer received a letter from Yinon explaining the reason for the rejection.

Yinon explained that the term "permanent monument" - which is the technicality Oppenheimer based his appeal on - does not apply to the monument that has been set up in the eastern wing of the Knesset. 

"The monument is a small copy of a monument which pays tribute to the towns of Gush Katif that were evacuated as part of the disengagement plan. This copy can be both moved and removed and does not qualify in the category of a permanent monument."

"Additionally, the Speaker of the Knesset refused the request to put up a permanent monument in the Knesset commemorating the disengagement, and this is for many of the reasons that you listed in your request, as well as others."  

According to Yinon, "the version of the monument which was set up does not take a stand regarding the disengagement plan one way or another, as even those who supported the plan do not deny that it was an event of national historic importance."

As such, "there is no obstacle that should prevent the Speaker of the Knesset from commemorating such an event as he sees fit and it is under his authority to do so."

Approximately 9,000 Jews were expelled from Gush Katif in Gaza and several communities in northern Samaria under the 2005 Gaza Disengagement Plan.