Ami Shaked on Gush Katif

Adar II 5765

Beloved residents of Hevel Katif,

For a generation we have been living in an area of extraordinary settlement in this beloved region of Israel. This venture was founded on virgin soil that no man had been able to overpower since the creation of the world. Incredibly, this area responded only to us, as if we had been selected, as if the land could sense our love for it.

For a generation our souls have bonded with this beloved land and so have we to each other. Through great effort and honest labor we founded exemplary settlements and wondrous communities. We created a framework of life, as if in a utopian Jerusalem, in which every man loves his fellow man and feels he is his guarantor. A holiness rests over the site.

No evil, no impurity, only goodness and benevolence are found here. Doors that close to no man and an ever open heart are our mark of character. We formed an extended family and a home of quality unsurpassed.

It is difficult to find a place and people such as these, untarnished and completely unblemished, anywhere in the world; a place of Jewish Zionist pride, a place that fulfills the dream of any self-respecting Jew.

The disparaging may say what they will, but, no-one can take the truth from us. This is the truth and we must not let it be unheard.

Gush Katif was and will be a synthesis of the holy land and the spirit of man; this is the optimal union. We must not forget that it is this spirit that turned a desolate desert into a flowering garden and a group of strangers into an unrivaled community. Everything for which we have strived has been for the sake of, and in the name of the Jewish people. We took the gates of Gaza on our shoulders and unlike others we have been able to support them. Even today, we say to all that there are none like us to carry out the task.

Beloved brothers and women of valor:

Once again a great task and trial have been placed on our shoulders. Once again we have approached the mountain with no questions, and once again at the altar we ask, “And where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” Not out of naivete do we do this, but out of faith.

As Avraham at the sacrifice, we must struggle for our houses and for our way of life and thereby express our love of G-d. We are torn between our love for what we have made with our own hands and our knowledge that all deeds the Master of the World are just.

We must struggle in order to impress our heritage upon the nation and possibly even prevent the evil decree. We must do this for ourselves and for the subsequent generations. But, as at the sacrifice of Yitzhak, our task is also to purify ourselves and to be prepared to sacrifice; G‑d’s role is to implement at just the right moment, “Send not your hand to the youth.”

Despite the fact that the enemy has spared no place in this community, the years of struggle have only brought out the good. As such, we are obligated to a struggle that suits our way of life, our characteristics, our good-heartedness and our obligation to the fate of our community. Whatever the future will bring, we must be beyond reproach.

We are obligated to a tenacious struggle that will astound the Jewish People with its nobility, as opposed to the manner prevalent in Israel. We will show concern for the whole in spite of the danger posed to our lives’ work. We are obligated to a struggle for our way that will emphasize our way of life -- a struggle in which anyone who looks upon us will see “free people in their own land.” Anyone who comes to our houses must feel that they are in a place worthy of veneration. In this struggle every child and every woman will be an example for all of Am Yisrael.

The struggle increases immensely our obligation towards the bereaved families, and our responsibility to care for and to honor our brothers and sisters, soldiers and citizens, who have been victims of war. We have no right to desecrate the memory of those fallen and to blot out their contribution to the shaping of our community.

The manner of our struggle must unite and bond us more than ever. G-d forbid, that we will appear to be lowly people only interested in their personal future. We have never been such and we never will be. We must strive to succeed and the outcome is in G-d’s hands.

The eyes of all of Israel are upon us to see how we will proceed in our struggle. Will we continue to show love and respect or will it seem as if it has all been a media ploy? The steadfast stance of Gush Katif against all odds has already become a legend. The adamant will to continue with routine life confounds the evil hearted leaders who sought a fight of hate and violence in order to justify the expulsion and placate their consciences.

We promise that when the time comes the growers will be as Cohanim performing their duties and students will be as Levi’im at their song. We will overwhelm them with our determined stance and with love until they lower their eyes in disgrace.

We also look to our brothers and appeal to them, to prevent, by any legitimate means, the forces of expulsion from reaching Hevel Katif. This sharing of duties is what will reveal the power of the people and the determination of the residents of Hevel Katif.

We place no blame on the those in Israel who were stricken by weakness under an evil and unscrupulous government. We regard the Israeli Army and its officers as none other than those led astray and desperate for our help. Those few among us who, out of weakness, transformed the struggle into one of a monetary nature -- we will forgive. Those who see the struggle as one of appearances without judging the consequences -- we will forgive. That is who we are: we give the benefit of the doubt and we love our fellow man.

In this time, when every action is of great significance and has serious consequences, we will, as always, be the vanguard.

During these trying times, we must maintain the spirit of Hevel Katif. We must not weaken our morale, rather transform it into a message for all of Am Yisrael -- a message of hope. Those religious and those not, growers and students in the Yeshivot, immigrants and veterans, from all backgrounds -- everybody as one. This was and will be the secret of our strength -- the secret of the redemption.

As the Gates of Gaza were none too heavy for Sampson, this endeavor is none too weighty for us; we will succeed.

To our brothers and sisters, the residents of Hevel Katif:

During the long years of fighting, a strong bond has formed between the Heads of Security, the members and auxiliary volunteers of the security staff, and you. They are filled with admiration for your extraordinary steadfastness throughout this most horrific of wars and draw strength from your resoluteness to persevere.

Our love for you is true, sincere and ever increasing from day to day, in response to your great love and trust that you placed in us during the years of war.

The struggle over our homes and our future conceals within many dangers, some of which are not known to us, and may be very different from those known to us until now. These trying times will test our concern for the weak among us, during the struggle and after its conclusion. With mutual reliance and increased care we will face the tremendous days, days of glory, approaching.

We ask you to renew your faith in us and to allow us to serve you and with you in the campaign directly at hand. As a soldier conquering a hill is unable to see the hills that lie beyond it, so we are confronting a difficult campaign, which as usual concerning Am Yisrael, conceals from view the many campaigns and challenges which lie ahead.

“‘Neither by might, nor by power, but by My spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

• Zecharia 4:6

With you until the end,

Ami Shaked.