At a landmark conference recalling the 2005 Disengagement, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declares Gaza an inseparable part of Israel and urges a bold plan for a large-scale Jewish return.
YAD BINYAMIN — Two decades after Israel’s painful Disengagement from Gush Katif, the Gush Katif Conference for National Responsibility opened Tuesday morning at Yad Binyamin’s Cultural Hall, drawing leaders, bereaved families, and veterans of the Gaza settlement movement to reflect on the past and chart a course for the future.
The conference features panels, interviews, and strategic discussions on the 2005 evacuation, its lasting consequences, and the enduring vision of Jewish settlement in Gaza and northern Samaria.
Opening the event, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich delivered a fiery address, insisting:
“Gaza is an inseparable part of the Land of Israel. The question is how to turn that belief into a practical plan. Gush Katif was too small — we must think bigger.”
Smotrich called for a vision beyond the scale of pre-2005 Gush Katif, framing Gaza as an opportunity for a larger, more permanent return.
A Clash Over Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
Turning to one of the government’s most divisive issues, Smotrich renewed his criticism of humanitarian aid deliveries into Hamas-controlled territory.
“Airdrops don’t matter — they rarely reach Hamas. But aid by truck? That’s the real problem. Hamas seizes it, resells it, and keeps the population dependent,” he charged.
Smotrich reminded the audience that he had publicly vowed to stop these shipments:
“I gave my word to the public this would end. I also said I couldn’t remain in a government that continued it — and I meant it. If I’m still here, it’s because I believe change is coming. Time will tell if I’m right.”
Strategic Simulations & Powerful Voices
A highlight of the conference will be a strategic simulation exploring former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan.
The speaker lineup includes:
- Merav Leshem Gonen, mother of hostage Romi Gonen
- Rafi Shimoni, father of Ben Shimoni, killed while rescuing others during the October 7 massacre
- Elisha Medan, a wounded reservist and Independence Day torchbearer
Their testimonies will connect the legacy of Gush Katif with the realities of Israel’s current security struggle.
