The togetherness and the uniqueness of the Gush Katif community

Community life was one of the most special and impressive properties of living in Gush Katif. There was a mosaic of people, life and customs, which blended in extraordinary harmony despite the many differences between them. The founders of Gush Katif came from all sectors of Israeli society. These were moshav farmers from the south, university graduates from the center, scholars from Jerusalem and former Nachlaim (IDF- Fighting Pioneer Youth), who had in common – the kippa on their heads. There was also a group of Yamit evacuees as well as people from the secular sector who had seen the sand dunes during IDF reserve service or on trips and liked the landscape and nature in the area. Together they all created a unique social-community mosaic.

The emphasis on looking out for one another and the fact that everyone accepted everyone regardless of country of origin, religious level, education or age, out of tolerance, appreciation and mutual respect, contributed greatly to community building and the feeling that each individual and group was wanted. The agricultural work common to many also strengthened this feeling. The distance and the geographical-physical detachment from a large and central Jewish city also played a part in turning Gush Katif into a cohesive community because they created a need to help each other, make do with the existing and accept the other. As a result, close friendships were formed within each community and between the communities, and the feeling was of one large family.