Minister of Settlements and National Missions Orit Strock revealed Friday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seriously considered a request to hold this year’s 8 Elul prayer inside the Gaza Strip but ultimately decided not to approve it.
Strock made the remarks during a prayer service and fast held at Migdal Kissufim, overlooking Gaza, marking 21 years since the burning of the synagogues in Gush Katif. The event was organized by the Gush Katif Residents’ Headquarters and Prof. Yoel Elitzur and was attended by rabbis and public figures.
According to Strock, about two weeks ago, following a meeting of the Security Cabinet, she handed Netanyahu a letter signed by 20 senior Religious Zionist rabbis requesting that this year’s 8 Elul prayer be held inside Gaza.
AFSI Insight
AFSI sees this revelation as significant because it highlights the continuing debate over Jewish sovereignty and Jewish presence in Gaza. The fact that Prime Minister Netanyahu seriously considered allowing Jewish prayer inside Gaza—and that 20 prominent Religious Zionist rabbis supported the request—demonstrates that the idea of returning Jewish life to areas abandoned in the Gush Katif expulsion remains very much alive. AFSI prays that Israel will not repeat the mistake of abandoning Jewish communities and will ultimately restore a permanent Jewish presence in Gaza as part of Israel’s long-term security and national strategy.