As the world deliberately ignores who the Palestinian Authority is, what the Arab world really represents and again directs accusations against Israel and what they term “occupation” I believe that it is time to wake them up.
If you begin with the history of our Land- the Land of Israel- our eternal homeland and the connection of our Nation to Israel throughout history even during the darkest pages of our Nations history it will be clear that this connection is unbreakable. Throughout our history our Nation has had a connection with this Land, both spiritually and the dream of redemption of our Land after the horrific expulsion of our people by our enemies.
No matter where a Jew is in the world, during prayer one faces to Israel- to Jerusalem our eternal capital. This is not politics – this is the eternal connection both spiritually and physically to our Torah our Land and people.
For us, who are blessed with growing up here and serving our country, raising our families and settling the Land it is something that we do not take for granted. So many of our holidays are connected with the blessings of the Land and not merely prayers that it is clear how important and inseparable a part of us it is.
I remember the joy as a young girl of the establishment of new communities in Gush Katif and the wonder of literally witnessing the transformation of barren sand dunes to thriving communities with wonderful agricultural and beautiful Jewish life there. I remember the determination and love of our families there to continue to live and build and work there despite many challenges.
The beautiful sea shore and the beaches and the sea shells – the hot houses and the miracle of “Yishuv HaAretz.” Those memories are with me always along with the endless pain of the destruction of Gush Katif and the beautiful synagogues, successful agriculture the homes, gardens not to mention the unbearable pain of removing our loved ones from their graves and having to go through the nightmare of re-burying them again.
When I was taken around the synagogue by my beloved friend Anita Tucker and given explanations of each part of this beautiful, meaningful, and special synagogue, it was even more moving because in spite of the pain of the destruction of Gush Katif and the wonderful community of Netzer Hazani, the faith, love and determination remains.
This is the perfect example and the proof of the indestructible connection of our Nation to our Land- our eternal Homeland. Of course the Arabs want the world to intervene as they have done in past history even when given a mandate to secure our Land for the Jewish people and the British betrayed this working with the Arabs to destroy both us and our connection to our Land.
How fitting that this dedication ceremony took place on Hannukah- and with the joy of the dedication we still have the sorrow of loss and the prayer for the future return to all of our Land- including Gush Katif.
And no matter what decisions the world will make and try to force on Israel and the Jewish people, it is our heritage and our connection with our Land will never change.