The Disengagement Plan

The Disengagement Plan was a government program carried out arounf the time of Tisha B'Av 5765 (2005) by the State of Israel, initiated by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, during which nearly ten thousand Jews were expelled from twenty-five settlements in the Gaza Strip, known as "Gush Katif." The plan sparked massive resistance, and in the year preceding its implementation, protests and demonstrations were held with hundreds of thousands of participants, roads were blocked throughout the country, and stickers condemning the plan were posted nationwide. Despite the opposition, IDF soldiers were forced to carry out the mission, which involved fierce resistance from the settlers, and violently remove those who refused to leave, who were supported by thousands of youth.

Since the plan contradicted the Rebbe's Torah-security doctrine, many Chabad chassidim took part in the struggle to prevent the plan, led by Rabbi Gedaliah Axelrod, Rabbi Yosef Gerlitzky, Rabbi Shalom Ber Wolpo, Rabbi Kuti Rapp, Rabbi Zimroni Tzik, Rabbi David Nachshon, and the Rebbe's shliach to Gush Katif, Rabbi Yigal Kirschnzaft.

Background to the Plan

In 5763 (2003), Ariel Sharon was elected to lead the Likud party, which presented a clear right-wing platform during the elections, with strong opposition to territorial concessions, and Sharon's explicit promise not to evacuate any settlement, declaring "the law of Netzarim is like the law of Tel Aviv."

Nevertheless, after his election, there was a radical change in his positions, and following a police investigation opened against him, he presented the Disengagement Plan in the Knesset, which shocked all his associates and party members, as it contradicted the party platform and Sharon's own political life, as he had personally assisted in establishing these settlements.

Following the announcement of the Disengagement Plan, the media and police ceased their intensive focus on the investigation file and began praising Sharon's actions to promote 'peace.'

To advance the plan and pass it in the Knesset, Sharon pressured government ministers and fired from ministerial positions anyone who opposed implementing the plan.

With the plan's publication and the beginning of the wave of protests, Sharon promised to bring the plan to a referendum, but after failing to gather a majority for his plan in a referendum, he decided to ignore the people's decision and continued to advance the plan's implementation while trampling all rules of political fairness and acting as a dictator imposing his political views and diplomatic plans on the public.

The Protest Against the Disengagement Plan

The protest against the disengagement began with educational activities preceding the referendum, during which thousands of activists went door-to-door explaining the madness and danger of implementing the plan, and succeeded in mobilizing a sixty percent majority that voted against the plan in the Likud member referendum held on 11 Iyar 5764.

After Sharon's refusal to bend his views to the referendum results, the plan came to the Knesset for approval, and after the law to implement the plan passed its third reading on 11 Cheshvan 5765, the wave of resistance grew, and protest rallies and road demonstrations gained momentum, which increased as the implementation date approached.

The protest against the plan was the most turbulent and widely covered since the establishment of the state, with millions of people from all sectors of society participating. Hundreds of thousands of people wore various orange-colored items chosen as the symbol of protest, attached orange ribbons to their cars, and went to intersections to demonstrate and demand the government shelve the plan.

Protest Actions Against the Plan

Human Chain

On July 25, 2004, a solidarity demonstration was organized to connect the settlements of Gush Katif with Jerusalem through a human chain, symbolizing the connection between Gush residents and the heart of Eretz Yisroel.

The chain stretched over 90 kilometers and had approximately 130,000 participants.

Unlike other actions taken by the Religious-Zionist public, this action was not accompanied by public disorder or violent confrontation. Instead, it spread along the roadsides and was characterized as a quiet public protest.

Rabbinical Opposition

A congress of Rabbonim for Peace was held against the Disengagement Plan in Tel Aviv (December 2004).

Throughout the year preceding the plan's implementation, several rabbinic forums convened and declared their negative opinion regarding the plan. They ruled for their students and followers that the order to evacuate Yidden from their homes was an immoral order, and therefore a soldier receiving such an order should refuse it and avoid assisting with the plan.

One of the main gatherings was held by the Congress of Rabbonim for Peace in Teves 5765, organized by the Rebbe's shliach to Tel Aviv, Rabbi Yosef Shmuel Gerlitzky, with the participation of Congress members: Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, the Sadigura Rebbe Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Friedman, Rabbi of Kiryat Arba and Chevron Rabbi Dov Lior, and Rabbi David Meir Drukman, Rabbi of Kiryat Motzkin.

Additionally, on 15 Adar I, a massive gathering was held at Binyanei HaUma in Yerushalayim, organized by Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpo and Rabbi Gedaliah Axelrod from the World Headquarters for Saving the Nation and the Land, with thousands of participants. The gathering was held under the title "Mi LaHashem Eilai" and included speeches supporting order refusal. During the gathering, the participating Rabbonim wrapped themselves in sackcloth and blew shofars as an expression of mourning over the plan's progress.

About a month and a half later, on 26 Adar II, another gathering for the Religious-Zionist public was held at the Ramada Renaissance Hotel, led by Chief Rabbis Rabbi Avraham Shapira and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, along with Roshei Yeshivos and city Rabbonim affiliated with Yeshivas Merkaz HaRav.

Tomchei Tmimim

During the preparations for the Disengagement, a Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim for American bochurim was opened in Gush Katif.

The yeshiva was established in Neve Dekalim in Gush Katif, with Rabbi Eli Paltrak serving as Rosh Yeshiva.

On Tisha B'Av 5765, as part of the plan, the yeshiva's talmidim were expelled from the location.

Pulsa DeNura

On 12 Tammuz 5765 (2005), a Pulsa DeNura ceremony was conducted at the Rosh Pina cemetery with the participation of mekubalim who opposed the plan. They cursed the plan's leaders and prayed for the end of their tenure, accompanied by readings from the Zohar.

Despite minimal participation in this ceremony, it managed to spark widespread public controversy and aroused anger among journalists, Knesset members, and media personalities. Many people condemned the act, including left-wing activists who identify as atheists, who feared the curses and condemned the ceremony participants.

Kfar Maimon

In mid-Tammuz, tens of thousands of protesters against the disengagement marched from Netivot toward the Kisufim checkpoint, with the declared intention of marching into Gush Katif, which was under closure at the time, in what was called the "Connection March." Even before the event began, police tried to prevent buses across the country from bringing protesters. Thousands of police officers and soldiers blocked the march route before Kfar Maimon, until it was decided to allow the marchers to stay overnight in the village and surround it. The march eventually dispersed peacefully, but the Yesha Council announced it would organize infiltrations of small groups into Gush Katif.

The Kotel Rally

A few days before the implementation of the plan, during the Nine Days, on 5 Menachem Av 5765, a massive prayer rally was organized by the Headquarters for the People and Land Peace under Tzeirei Chabad of Eretz HaKodesh.

Hundreds of rabbanim issued calls supporting participation in the rally, and succeeded in bringing over half a million people to the Kotel plaza.

The rally was attended by prominent rabbanim in Israel, including the Chief Rabbis Rav Avraham Shapira, Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, Rav Ovadia Yosef, many Chassidic Rebbes, members of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah, and members of the Chabad Beis Din of Eretz HaKodesh.

Bus Campaign

The World Headquarters for Saving the People and the Land conducted a protest bus campaign before the disengagement, under the slogans: "Sharon's Plan - Raising a Hand Against Hashem and His Torah and Bringing Disaster upon Israel," and "The Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach Warns: The Disengagement - A Terrible Danger to Jews." During the campaign, signs were posted on about one thousand buses throughout the country.

Implementation of the Disengagement

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Settlement of the Expelled

• A cluster of settlements in Nitzan and expansion north of Ashkelon
• Several settlements in Chalutza Sands and Eshkol Region
• A cluster of settlements in the Negev, near Netivot
• A cluster of settlements in the Lachish Region, including 9 new settlements for the expelled
• Several settlements near Lehavim
• In various settlements in Yehuda and Shomron, mainly in Ariel and Yitzhar

Results of the Disengagement

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After the evacuation of the settlements in Gush Katif and their transfer to the Palestinian Authority, the Hamas terror organization took control of the Gaza Strip and increased rocket launches toward Israel.

Many say that the Second Lebanon War occurred as a result of the plan that led to reduced fear of Israel among neighboring Arab countries and among Gaza Strip settlers.

Over the years following the Disengagement, some supporters of the plan reversed their support, claiming it did not improve state security and even harmed it. Other supporters did not reverse their support of the move itself but criticized how it was carried out, particularly the evacuation of Gush Katif residents or their treatment afterward. Among those who reversed or expressed reservations were politicians who were prominent supporters of the plan such as Shimon Peres, Uzi Dayan, Yitzchak Herzog, and Gershon Hacohen - the division commander who commanded the operation's soldiers. Additionally, about 80% of Israel's residents claimed the Disengagement was a terrible mistake that greatly harmed Israel's security.

Commemoration, Documentation and Protests in the Aftermath

Following the Disengagement, museums and activities for consciousness change among the public were established. Rabbi Sholom Ber Wolpo initiated the establishment of the Gush Katif Museum in Jerusalem. The museum contains extensive information about Jewish settlement in the Gaza region from ancient times until the Disengagement. The purpose of establishing the museum was to prevent the recurrence of a similar withdrawal in the future. The Gush Katif settlers established the Gush Katif Center for documenting and commemorating the Gush Katif settlements and the disaster of the Disengagement, located in the settlement of Nitzan.

Shortly after Ariel Sharon initiated the plan, he suffered a stroke. He lay in a coma for about eight years until his passing on 10 Shevat 5775.

Following the Second Lebanon War, Rabbi Sholom Ber Wolpo initiated a campaign called "We Told You So" during which he distributed one million informational booklets in Israeli press against the Convergence and Disengagement plans. He also launched a campaign called "There is Justice and there is a Judge" in which he published pictures of those responsible for implementing the Disengagement plan, claiming that everyone who participated in that plan was punished from Heaven. Those who participated in the Disengagement plan should retract, ask forgiveness from the expelled, and declare they will not repeat such actions.

On the other hand, there were Chassidim who were precise in the Rebbe's words over the years, that we should not make Heaven's calculations for others.

Hamas Attack on Simchas Torah

Extended Article - Iron Swords War

The Iron Swords War broke out on the morning of Simchas Torah 5784 (2023), with a massive attack on Israeli settlements around Gaza and southern cities. In the first weeks of the war, the attack was considered a complete surprise, but as time passed, it was published that there were warnings from within the military about Hamas planning a large-scale attack, but all were dismissed by senior military officials claiming Hamas was deterred, leading to a widespread attack that included mass murder.

In the first phase, the terrorists launched a widespread missile attack on settlements and IDF camps around Gaza and Israeli cities in the south and center. In the second phase, approximately 3,000 terrorists infiltrated Israeli territory along the Gaza Strip border using pickup trucks, motorcycles, boats, paragliders, and on foot.

Since the IDF was not prepared for this attack, entire settlements around Gaza and the cities of Ofakim, Sderot, and Netivot were attacked. Several IDF posts in the area fell to terrorists who went house to house, murdered, and set buildings on fire. Hundreds of Israeli civilians and soldiers, including elderly, women, children, and infants, were brutally kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and taken captive to Gaza. During the attack, over 1,500 terrorists were killed.

Vehicles destroyed by Hamas terrorists

The IDF initially delayed, and in the early hours, sparse forces operated on land, sea, and air, while simultaneously beginning to recruit reserve soldiers under Order 8. The IDF attacked many targets in the Gaza Strip while terrorists continuously fired missiles in the south and center with the aim of killing as many Jews as possible.

Approximately 240 men, women, and children were kidnapped to Gaza and held in various locations by Hamas and other terrorist organizations. Their condition is unknown, and some were wounded from the massacre in the Gaza envelope or from the fighting in Gaza. Many of the hostages are foreign or dual citizens, and there was pressure from additional countries for their release.

The war is considered a direct result of the Disengagement Plan.

Prominent Figures in the Protest Against the Expulsion

• Harav Gedaliah Axelrod, Av Beis Din of Haifa
• Harav Shalom Ber Wolpo, author of seforim
• Harav Yekusiel Rapp A"H, director of Chabad House at Kennedy Airport
• Harav Zimroni Tzik A"H, director of Chabad House Bat Yam
• Harav David Nachshon, chairman of Chabad Mobiles and Tzivos Hashem
• Harav Zalman Notik A"H - Mashpia
• Harav Yosef Gerlitzky - The Rebbe's Shliach to Tel Aviv
• Ariel Zilber - Protest singer

Further Reading

• "Towards a Decision in Matters of Life and Death" article by Harav Tuvia Blau
• The fascinating diary of the Litvish bochur from the Chabad House in Gush Katif