Response to a Leftist Jew

by Rachel Saperstein, Neve Dekalim/Nitzan
Gush Katif Viewpoint 166

A Grad missile exploded in a residential neighborhood in Ashkelon this past Friday. On Saturday a Kassam rocket fell in the Western Negev. Another rocket destroyed the wing of a local college near the town of Sderot. The rockets coming from Gaza remind us that we are still prey to the Hamas terrorists living a few kilometers from our refugee camp. The world continues to condemn any Israeli response.

But it is not only the world that cries foul when the Jews fight for self preservation, rather it is the leftist Jews who simply have not gotten the message that they too are in danger. Who are these Jews who will not only betray Israel but put their own people in danger? Listen to them.

"I don't wear a kippa like them... I don't wear a black suit or have a beard like them... I wear a t-shirt and jeans. I get on television and spout anti-Israel slogans. I worry about the Palestinians. I intimidate soldiers at checkpoints. I picket stores that sell products from settlements. I demand divestment and sanctions against Israel. I'll give away military secrets and call it freedom of speech. I'll sell weapons to terrorists. I'll give donations to Arab 'charities' that promote terrorism. I believe in humanism, democracy and the rights of the downtrodden Palestinians. Surely they will admire me and I will be safe."
The poor, downtrodden Gaza Arabs whom you wish to protect once had decent lives. When Gush Katif existed most were employed. They worked in Jewish hothouses, sorting sheds, the building trades, clothing factories, metal workshops. They expanded their homes, bought cars, tv sets, refrigerators, stoves. Their children had decent clothing, and computers. Food was plentiful, medical services available at Israeli clinics and hospitals.

With the expulsion of the Jews the Gazan Arabs were bereft. Hamas took over their lives. Fear settled upon these people. Metal workshops produced not the frames for hothouses but rather the rockets to shoot at Israeli towns and farms.

The Jewish left fought to have the Jews of Gaza expelled. The Jewish left helped create the establishment of a Hamas terrorist state. These leftist Jews helped create the poverty that is now rampant in Gaza. Once, the Jews of Gaza visited Arab towns and villages. They bought fruit and vegetables from Arab vendors. They took driving lessons with Arab teachers. Today the Gazans are deliberately browbeaten, humiliated and are used as human shields by their own leaders.

When you weep for the downtrodden Palestinians remember it was you, the leftist kibbutzim, who stood on the road to Gush Katif every Friday afternoon with signs reading "End the Occupation! End Gush Katif!" Every Friday you spat at and booed us as we drove by. When we were shelled you applauded. You did not offer a helping hand.

Now, on Fridays and every day, you are bombed. It is not pleasant, is it? We, the people of Gush Katif, lived bravely with endless bombing. You cannot imagine how devastating it was to see you on the road with your ugly signs. The bombings this past weekend are a reminder to you. You must be proud, caring Jews. The enemy will be there to hurt you, too. Be very very careful of what you wish for.

OPERATION DIGNITY is still in need of your help. See our website — www.OperationDignity.com — for further details.

Shekel checks or US$ checks under $250 should be sent to

Operation Dignity
POB 445
Nitzan 79287 Israel
Dollar checks, earmarked for OPERATION DIGNITY, should be sent to
Central Fund for Israel,
980 Sixth Avenue,
New York, NY 10018, USA
or

Central Fund for Israel,
13 Hagoel Street,
Efrat 90435, Israel

Rachel Saperstein and her husband, Moshe, were among the thousands of Jews kicked out of their homes in Neve Dekalim in Gush Katif in the Gaza strip and forced into temporary quarters so dismal, their still-temporary paper-based trailers in Nitzan seemed a step up. Like many of the refugees, they have had to rely on themselves and on private sources, but they are starting to rebuild and resume their lives. Contact them at ruchimo@.netvision.net.il

For those who have inquired how to support the Gush Katif refugees:

In Israel: The Gush Katif Committee
P.O Box 450, Ahuzat Etrog, 79411
972-8-9738000
(c) 972-54-7775662
www.gushkatif.co.il

In the US: Friends of Gush Katif
P.O Box 1184, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Toll Free 1800-410-1502
www.katifund.org

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