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Peace Process

Jewish no more ? for now


By Jerusalem Newswire Editorial Staff
August 22, 2005

On August 22, 2005, more than three millennia after a fierce Israeli Army under the command of General Joshua Ben Nun first invaded the Gaza Strip, driving out the inhabitants and taking the land for the Tribe of Judah; 2,000 years after invading armies drove the Jews out of the area, claiming the land for Rome; and nearly 40 years after Jews returned once again to live and build in the Gaza Strip, the strategic piece of land that has been called the soft underbelly of the Jewish states has once again been rendered free of Jews.

On Monday, the Jewish population of Netzarim was expelled from their homes, marking ?the end of the settler enterprise? in Gaza.

Netzarim was the first settlement to be built in Gaza, and was the last settlement to go. Compared to the resistance put up in some of the other towns, the Netzarim community left quietly, docilely.

Tonight, as they cram hotels and tent cities in different parts of the country, waiting for more secure accommodation to move into, many of the recently evicted Gazans believe they will return home one day. While the likelihood of that appears slim today, their history of tenacity and land reclamation gives them reason to hope.

The Hebrew Scriptures ? Israel?s most enduring and verifiable history book ? records how centuries after Joshua, the Philistines succeeded in forcing the Jews out of Gaza and establishing a stronghold in five cities along the Mediterranean coast.

The high priest Eli was then the leader of Israel. Heavily overweight, he was cursed with two corrupt sons whom he refused to discipline. Under Eli?s leadership, Israel went to war against the Philistines, only to be defeated. Eli?s sons died as a consequence, losing the Ark of the God of Israel to the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip. On hearing of the disaster he and his sons had brought upon their nation Eli, too, died.

The Philistines first rejoiced at their victory over Israel. Soon, however, sickness plagued the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, ultimately forcing them to relinquish the booty of war ? sending the Ark back to the people of Israel and acknowledging that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had sorely smitten them.

Years later, the priest Samuel heard the cries of a repentant nation. After offering a sacrifice on their behalf, he sent the Israelites into battle to vanquish the Philistines. And so we are told:

?The Philistines were subdued, and they did not come anymore into the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.?

?Then the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel recovered its territory from the hands of the Philistines.? (1 Sam 7:13-14)

This is a historical account. Time will tell whether it has a prophetic element too.

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