SDEROT, Israel — As the Israeli army slogged through the Gaza Strip in the waning days of its three week offensive against Hamas targets, a delegation sponsored by the pro-Israel group Women in Green traveled to a location just beyond the fighting to strengthen the resolve of local residents. In the end, the multinational group of 50 returned strengthened, carrying a message of faith conquering all obstacles.
Former Gazans Reflect on Life During War
SDEROT, Israel — As the Israeli army slogged through the Gaza Strip in the waning days of its three week offensive against Hamas targets, a delegation sponsored by the pro-Israel group Women in Green traveled to a location just beyond the fighting to strengthen the resolve of local residents. In the end, the multinational group of 50 returned strengthened, carrying a message of faith conquering all obstacles.
The Jan. 12 visit to the community of Nitzan – a village of temporary homes in the sand dunes south of Ashkelon built for Israeli families removed from established towns in Gaza after their government decided to unilaterally pull out from the territory in 2006 – was designed as a solidarity mission of sorts. The community’s residents, living in close proximity to the border, had become frequent targets of Palestinian rockets during Israel’s latest offensive, but because of the interim nature of their village, they lacked standard bomb shelters.
“We came to show support to our brothers and sisters,” activist Nadia Matar told the delegation. “We are here to spend our money in an effort to boost to the local economy.”
Turning to the security situation, she added: “They were expelled from their beautiful homes in [Gaza] and dumped into these cardboard boxes with rooftops. The only minimal protection they have from rocket fire is concrete sewage pipes.”
n resident Rachel Saperstein greeted the group outside of the “Orange Gallery,” a small store that features the work of local artists. During a tour of the community, Saperstein pointed out the pipes, which the Home Front Command had installed in the first days of Operation Cast Lead.
