Dear Friends,
I am back in Israel.
It was a long trip, but it was a very good one. Great thanks for all of our friends and supporters who made that trip so fruitful.
The community is in the Negev at a trailer site at Yevul (a 50 family village in the south-western Negev). We are still missing our community facilities and there are no land-line phones as yet. There is hardly any bus service in the area thus our community members who held jobs in other towns have no means of getting to work. We are currently in the process of setting up a shuttle-bus service from the community to a major road intersection where bus service is available. For that purpose we will have to buy a bus ($100,000 - $150,000). It is currently the most important project since it will grant many of our community members the opportunity to make a living.
During my last trip I have met with so many people who are not aware of the situation or do not want to believe what they hear about the situation.
Since we are LIVING the situation and since it IS a national issue (pushing 1800 families of hard working model citizens into poverty has a major impact on them, their friends and family, their past employees etc.) We at the Netzarim Development Fund have decided to take upon ourselves (it was not my idea, though...) to lead an investigation mission that will come to investigate the facts.
The idea is to set up a mission of community key people (Directors, Presidents, Rabbis etc.) who will come to Israel for a short period of time in order to investigate the situation.
Currently, I am in the process of setting up the mission. The dates I have in mind are Dec 11th (leaving NYC) to Dec 16th(back in NYC). I know it is the holiday season but those are the only dates available between Thanksgiving and Xmass.
My commitments to all of you is:
1. It will not be a political mission nor will it serve any political cause.
2. The mission will not serve just one community. The mission will explore the situation amongst ALL of Gush Katif evacuees.
3. The mission will meet with representatives of the evacuees and with the evacuees at their current location (hotels, trailers, tents etc) and with representatives of SELA and the government.
4. This mission is not aimed towards supporting any specific vision - religious or secular. We believe that the outcome of the disengagement plan is a national issue. The people of Gush Katif were hard working model citizens. Many of them provided jobs to many people. Pushing them into poverty is bad for the economy of the state of Israel.
5. The goal of this mission is to raise awareness that will lead to involvement. Many former Gush Katif residents are going to relocate to the Negev. Inhabitating the Negev is a national mission. We believe the involvement of Jewish communities from all over the world will expedite the process.
I believe it is very important to bring the facts to as many communities as possible. This mission is aimed towards doing so.
I believe all Jews should get involved as this is a national issue: observant and non observant, Orthodox, Reform and Conservative - we should all get on board.
I believe the issue of Gush Katif made us all re-think. If this re-thinking process leads to action - all Jews will benefit.
I believe this mission is important because it will create the involvement that will make the state of Israel stronger.
The mission is not sponsored. I am currently working on the program. The program and the cost will be ready by the end of the week.
Those who are willing to participate, please email your name, day and night tel #, city and state. I will personally contact each and everyone of you.
Best regards,
Udi.
Ehud Zinar, Netzarim
Assistant to Chairman
USA: Israel
Tel: (1) 212 933-9537 Cell: (972) 54 6366-256
Fax: (1) 603 507-2444 Fax: (972) 3 684-4379
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