| Submit your comments on this article |
| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Hamas using Gaza synagogues to train terrorists |
| 2008-07-15 |
| One of the most visible conflicts in public opinion prior to the Gaza Strip pullout in August 2005 dealt with the issue of public structures following the evacuation of Gush Katif and northern Samarian settlements. Many claimed that the buildings must be destroyed in order to insure that they will not be used by terrorist organizations in the future. The fate of many of the area’s synagogues was also discussed at that time. In July 2004 the government already reached the decision to pullout from Gaza and to demolish the public buildings there, without exceptions. Time and again, the government bombarded the High Court of Justice explaining why the judges must not be permitted to interfere in the decision to wreck the synagogues. However, at some point, the tables were turned. Then-Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Silvan Shalom, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and Matan Vilnai suddenly opposed the decision. The ministers started raising creative ideas allowing the synagogues to remain intact. Limor Livnat suggested involving UNESCO with the hopes they would declare Gush Katif synagogues as official World Heritage Sites. The final decision was received in September 2005, following the residents’ evacuation and a day before the IDF’s definitive pullout from the Gaza Strip. Despite the objection, the government decided to leave public buildings, kindergartens, libraries, schools and other structures whole for the benefit of the Palestinian population. The synagogues were left untouched due to the problematic nature of demolishing holy places. Recently, terrorist organizations and most notably, Hamas have begun using these buildings for training purposes. A few movie videos filmed and produced by various terror organizations presented gunmen training at the sites of public buildings once used in Gush Katif, including synagogues and schools. One of the structures identifiable in the short films in the Atzmona synagogue in which the terrorists train for different scenarios with live ammunition. Aside from Hamas, the Islamic Jihad also trains in the Jewish holy site. The buildings serve as scenery for kidnapping scenarios and urban warfare including the invasion and “purification” of buildings. The organizations’ members also practice Krav Maga. The drills are conducted in and outside of the buildings and damage is visible to the structures. The gunmen practice various maneuvers using light weaponry and grenades, light and heavy machine guns and antitank missiles. The mere existence of the buildings and their accessibility greatly contribute to the terrorist organizations. The structures are abandoned and isolated and far from the Palestinian civilian population. If not for these buildings, the terrorists would have to construct buildings and special training areas for these purposes, just like the IDF does in order to conduct counter-terrorism drills. They would have to evacuate an entire neighborhood from its Palestinians inhabitants in order to establish a similar area. It should be noted that usage of the buildings Israel abandoned in the Gaza Strip for live ammunition training is not secure. Buildings designated for urban warfare training must be planned and built especially for that purpose. However, it is possible that the terror organizations have already made the proper modifications themselves. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #5 Level the bloody place NOW! The Frauenkirche in Dresden was rebuilt. If there is anything worth rebuilding, it can be. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-07-15 22:16 |
| #4 ...and the Nazis used Jewish gravestones to build pigstyes and pave roads. Shame on the Israelis for leaving two bricks intact in Gaza... |
| Posted by: borgboy 2008-07-15 14:08 |
| #3 I always understood that synagogues are similar to community centers rather than holy places, that only the scrolls of the Torah and the souls of the congregants themselves are considered holy. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-07-15 13:06 |
| #2 Defilement must be cleansed by burning by Law. |
| Posted by: Danielle 2008-07-15 11:26 |
| #1 Its never too late to finish the job. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2008-07-15 08:40 |