Rumors were circulating around the settlement that people were signing agreements to leave their homes, and no one knew what exactly was going on.
Everyone turned up for the meeting. Everyone realized that this was the moment of truth, that the game was over, and that we had to something to strengthen our parents, who we were proud of for holding up against all the pressure for a year and a half. But they also needed love and support, and we decided to give that to them.
We prepared three huge signs which we put up in prominent places. One of them was placed on the wall of the synagogue, which read: “With you all the way, we love you – the youth.”
In addition we sent a voice message to all of the home phones where we played the song, “We will know better days than these, better by a thousand, our roots will deepen like cedars in the mountain…”
One of the guys added: “Dear parents, this isn’t the end of the struggle. Shabbat shalom, we love you – the kids.”
With God’s help, next Saturday we will hold a “Sabbat of strength” day: Every family will share a meal with a family that is less committed to continuing the struggle, because from our perspective, this isn’t the end – it is the start of something better.
We, as young people, understand our parents, and all of the heavy pressure they are under. We feel that our role is to strengthen and encourage, and if we manage to encourage a single family, all of the effort will have been worthwhile…
We've have been through much
When I read the Ynet article about the signing of evacuation agreements by the residents of Ganei Tal, I sat and thought about all of what we went through over the past year and a half, how we stood with heroism against all obstacles, against all the pressures, against a hostile media.
We handed out orange ribbons, came to the “human chain,” marched at least three times from Gush Katif to Jerusalem, we went to persuade others of our case, face to face, evening after evening; hosted people every Saturday who came to learn about this incredible area; conducted bus tours every Friday; learned, did our high school examinations, worked, and continued to live our life as normal.
We must build our faith up every time from the beginning, and the situation is now very sensitive and difficult. There are people who break.
And I want to shout my message: Please don’t break, not now, not when we’re so close to obtaining our goal – to stay in Gush Katif, to stay in our home.
There is one month left – a month of tours, tension, and uncertainty, and then with God’s help we will be able to prove to everyone that we succeeded in our mission, that our love really did win.
I know its hard, especially for you, our parents, because you responsibilities that we do not, but I shout in the name of the youth: Be strong, we promise to help everyone we can, but please continue to fight, don’t despair. Not now…
We have to be strong for ourselves, for the people of Israel, and for those who gave up their lives for this place.
“We will know better days than these, better by a thousand, our roots will deepen like cedars in the mountain. Only if we boldly believe, only if we believe and don’t rest. Together – all the way – together, there is no other way, we will join hands for the good that is yet to come.”
