Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., April 25, 2009 Iyyar 1, 5769 | | Israel Time: 18:56 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File TLV 100
Last update - 12:50 19/04/2009
Gaza, remember?
By Gideon Levy
Tags: Gaza, Israel News, Cast Lead

Alyan Abu-Aun is lying in his tent, his crutches beside him. He smokes cigarettes and stares into the tiny tent's empty space. His young son sits on his lap. Ten people are crammed into the tent, about the size of a small room. It has been their home for three months. Nothing remains of their previous home, which the Israel Defense Forces shelled during Operation Cast Lead. They are refugees for a second time; Abu-Aun's mother still remembers her home in Sumsum, a town that once stood near Ashkelon.

Abu-Aun, 53, was wounded while trying to flee when his home in the Gaza town of Beit Lahia was bombed. He has been on crutches ever since. His wife gave birth during the height of the war, and now the baby is with them in the cold tent. The tent was sent flying during the storm that devoured the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, so the family had to put it back up. They receive water only occasionally in a container, and a tiny tin shack serves as a bathroom for the 100 families in this new refugee camp, 'Camp Gaza,' in Beit Lahia's Al-Atatra neighborhood.

Abu-Aun sounded particularly bitter this past weekend; the Red Cross refused his family a bigger tent. He has also had enough of eating beans.
Advertisement
For three months, the Abu-Aun family and thousands of others have been living in five tent encampments built after the war. They have not begun clearing away the ruins of their homes, let alone build new ones. Thousands live in the shadow of the ruins of their homes, thousands in tents, thousands crowded together with their relatives, tens of thousands who are newly homeless and whom the world has lost interest in. After the conference of donor countries, which convened to great fanfare in Sharm el-Sheikh a month and a half ago, which included 75 countries and agreed to transfer $1 billion to rebuild Gaza, nothing happened.

Gaza is besieged. There are no building materials. Israel and the world are setting conditions, the Palestinians are incapable of forming a unity government, as is needed, the money and concrete are nowhere to be seen and the Abu-Aun family continues to live in a tent. Even the $900 million promised by the United States is stuck in the cash register. It's doubtful whether it will ever be taken out. America's word.

It's exactly three months since the much-talked-about war, and Gaza is once again forgotten. Israel has never taken an interest in the welfare of its victims. Now the world has forgotten, too. Two weeks with hardly a Qassam rocket has taken Gaza completely off the agenda. If the Gazans don't hurry up and resume firing, nobody will take an interest in their welfare again. Although not new, this is an especially grievous and saddening message liable to spark the next cycle of violence. And then it will be certain they won't get aid because they will be shooting.

Somebody must assume responsibility for the fate of the Abu-Aun family and other victims like them. If they had been injured in an earthquake, the world probably would have helped them recover long ago. Even Israel would have quickly dispatched aid convoys from ZAKA, Magen David Adom, even the IDF. But the Abu-Aun family was not injured by a natural disaster, but by hands and flesh and blood, made in Israel, and not for the first time. The response: no compensation, no aid, no rehabilitation. Israel and the world are too preoccupied to rebuild Gaza. They have become speechless. Gaza, remember?

From the ruins of the Abu-Aun family sprouts a new desperation. It will be more bitter than its predecessor. A decent family of eight has been destroyed, physically and psychologically, and the world stands aloof. We should not expect Israel to compensate its victims or rebuild the ruins it caused, even though this would clearly be in its interest, not to mention its moral obligation, a topic not even talked about.

The world once again has to clean up Israel's mess. But Israel is setting more and more political conditions for providing emergency humanitarian aid ? empty excuses to leave Gaza in ruins and not offer aid that Gaza deserves and desperately needs. Gaza has once again been left to its own devices, the Abu-Aun family has been left in its tent, and when the hostilities resume we will be told once again about the cruelty and brutality of ... the Palestinians.

Related articles:
  • Hamas: We will never recognize the enemy
  • Gaza Strip militants fire Qassam rocket into western Negev
  • Hamas murals depict abducted IDF soldier Shalit in 30 years
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Disrupting Ahmadinejad
    UN expels Jewish and Iranian groups from global racism conference 'Durban II'
    Ancient Egypt
    3,000-year-old arms storehouse uncovered in the Egyptian peninsula of Sinai
      1.   DELETED BY MODERATOR 05:10  |  Angelo 19/04/09
      2.   Typical Gideon Levy... 05:13  |  Paul 19/04/09
      3.   Abu-Aun was not asked fundamental questions 05:16  |  Peter Williams 19/04/09
      4.   Rotten advice from Gideon Levy 05:21  |  Chris 19/04/09
      5.   Gideon Levy = Palestinian Spokesman 05:24  |  Matt 19/04/09
      6.   I am sad to say that I agree 05:30  |  Andy 19/04/09
      7.   Gaza Remember? Are we foretting what led to this war- 05:32  |  Jeff 19/04/09
      8.   Soulless Hamas, who wants to destroy Israel like a leech 05:58  |  Marcelo 19/04/09
      9.   CNN where are you? 06:01  |  American 19/04/09
      10.   Thanks for the good news 06:21  |  joseph 19/04/09
      11.   Another fantastic article 06:32  |  Marc Leb 19/04/09
      12.   Shalit could be the answer 06:55  |  Arnold 19/04/09
      13.   Sad story 06:59  |  Jasper 19/04/09
      14.   Gideon`s Folly 07:12  |  Ron 19/04/09
      15.   Bleeding heart..bull 07:18  |  Michael Dar 19/04/09
      16.   gideon lost in gaza 07:36  |  dave 19/04/09
      17.   Nobody cares about the Palestinians 07:36  |  Reuven 19/04/09
      18.   Rockets are Not Relevant 07:57  |  Mark of Lewiston 19/04/09
      19.   Rebuilding Gaza 07:58  |  Wendy 19/04/09
      20.   Khartoum Resolution 1967, Remember? 08:05  |  Avshalom Beni 19/04/09
      21.   Go Gideon ! 08:05  |  Razi 19/04/09
      22.   Abu-Aun wants a normal life.... 08:12  |  gly 19/04/09
      23.   to #10 Ron 08:14  |  gly 19/04/09
      24.   Gideon calling Palestinians to commit war crimes 08:59  |  Richard 19/04/09
      25.   #4 Chris, #13 Ron 09:11  |  Elina 19/04/09
      26.   Again Quassams? Make Israel`s day! 09:11  |  Robert 19/04/09
      27.   GIDEON lEVY 09:29  |  CESARE 19/04/09
      28.   #1 09:31  |  mariel 19/04/09
      29.   THE PROBLEM LIES WITH HAMAS THEY HAVE TO CHANGE 09:36  |  v hardman 19/04/09
      30.   A wonderful article, with repulsive comments 09:36  |  D 19/04/09
      31.   Gazans not forgotten (second try) 09:37  |  Palestinian Brit 19/04/09
      32.   Just not so 09:44  |  Andrew 19/04/09
      33.   Wendy - Short Answer - The Siege 09:55  |  Mark of Lewiston 19/04/09
      34.   #6 Andy-Not Jews but Gazans should start thinking 09:59  |  HS 19/04/09
      35.   But Israel is so moral 10:01  |  Marilyn 19/04/09
      36.   Hey no 10 10:02  |  Marilyn 19/04/09
      37.   Andy: It definitely IS the answer 10:12  |  Dr, No BS 19/04/09
      38.   Obvious solution 10:13  |  David Olesker 19/04/09
      39.   Shame on you gly#21 10:13  |  HS 19/04/09
      40.   Life is a series of alternatives 10:21  |  David 19/04/09
      41.   I nopminate Giddeon to be named head 10:24  |  Dr. No BS 19/04/09
      42.   Hamas is to blame for all the misery in Gaza 10:30  |  Benjamina 19/04/09
      43.   Reuven - blaming Hamas for inaction 11:03  |  Justin 19/04/09
      44.   Rest assure Americans aren`t closing their eyes to this injustice 11:05  |  Dutch 19/04/09
      45.   Good 11:24  |  John 19/04/09
      46.   Sacrifice 11:24  |  Colin 19/04/09
      47.   bless 11:40  |  kal 19/04/09
      48.   And he want me to cry for them, hahaha 11:48  |  maurice 19/04/09
      49.   #4 Chris; #13 Ron 11:58  |  Elina 19/04/09
      50.   Thanks Gideon 12:10  |  Samir 19/04/09
      51.   Gaza has had more welfare than any conflict zone in the world! 12:13  |  JO 19/04/09
      52.   His life is like the many African refugees I have known 12:23  |  De 19/04/09
      53.   Andy #6 12:29  |  Mickey 19/04/09
      54.   Gideon, do you want Gazans to be remembered or to be helped? 12:57  |  Tzfonit 19/04/09
      55.   Ron: Gideon isn`t suggesting it`s a good thing... 13:22  |  AT 19/04/09
      56.   Wendy: because Israel controls the borders 13:26  |  AT 19/04/09
      57.   Mark of Lewiston #16 spot on 14:42  |  Roo 19/04/09
      58.   Always "victimised" 14:46  |  Abecassis 19/04/09
      59.   Such depressing attitudes 14:50  |  Adam 19/04/09
      60.   They don`t have bread, let them eat their Kassams 14:59  |  maurice 19/04/09
      61.   Not Difficult Enough to Topple Hamas Though 15:11  |  Jane 19/04/09
      62.   good point ...nobody does care...recognize it 15:12  |  pelsar 19/04/09
      63.   So what? 15:24  |  Mark Lincoln 19/04/09
      64.   AT, Israel controls the borders... 15:26  |  Tzfonit 19/04/09
      65.   Forgotten Gaza 15:31  |  WHG 19/04/09
      66.   Cast Lead is not forgotten 15:50  |  christoph 19/04/09
      67.   I`ve noticed the smuggling tunnels are concreted 16:09  |  Lynn 19/04/09
      68.   Deplorable conditions, reminds me of worse than maabarots, but... 16:16  |  Smadar 19/04/09
      69.   AT: Israel is guarding the borders 16:20  |  Barbro 19/04/09
      70.   Palestinian misery is standard Israeli policy! 16:29  |  jim the mechanic 19/04/09
      71.   The world is like an elefant 16:43  |  fritz t. 19/04/09
      72.   remember Gaza 16:48  |  rm 19/04/09
      73.   gazans, start to work, not only sitting, smoking and waiting for 17:18  |  v 19/04/09
      74.   Adam 51 17:21  |  Otazoy 19/04/09
      75.   Boy, That`s Tough, Mr. Gideon Levy 17:43  |  Jeff Northridge 19/04/09
      76.   Gaza is Gaza`s Problem Now 18:11  |  UsedToPostHere 19/04/09
      77.   AT#49 18:16  |  Mickey 19/04/09
      78.   Calling for hte murder of Jews 18:42  |  Daniel 19/04/09
      79.   Andy you are sad indeed #6 18:46  |  FOX 19/04/09
      80.   Gideon says: "Fire more Rockets" 18:53  |  FOX 19/04/09
      81.   more rubbish from gideon levy 19:00  |  rich 19/04/09
      82.   #55 - What else have they got to do?... 19:03  |  Adam 19/04/09
      83.   10,000 rockets, remember? 19:06  |  flyingdoc57 19/04/09
      84.   Matt@5 19:32  |  had enough 19/04/09
      85.   It`s A Case Of Volenti Non Fit Injuria 20:25  |  Jeff Northridge 19/04/09
      86.   Think of Gaza 20:25  |  Jess Ghannam 19/04/09
      87.   Gaza not forgotten 20:34  |  A rational man 19/04/09
      88.   There is nothing worse 20:59  |  Karmafish 19/04/09
      89.   Gaza forgotten 21:40  |  Edwin 19/04/09
      90.   Tzfonit - Nothing Would Change 22:15  |  Mark of Lewiston 19/04/09
      91.   to HS #35 22:44  |  gly 19/04/09
      92.   Hamas created in resonse to cruel occupation 22:46  |  gly 19/04/09
      93.   #30 D is true human being with heart !! 03:59  |  gly 20/04/09
      94.   To Elina, Gly, et. al. 04:16  |  Ron 20/04/09
      95.   Did these "victims" elect and support hamas? 04:53  |  bernard ross 20/04/09
      96.   Actually, Mark of Lewiston... 07:22  |  Tzfonit 20/04/09
      97.   Gaza deserves to be ignored 08:55  |  Akiva P 20/04/09
      98.   Greatly pity the miserable unfortunates in Gaza... 08:59  |  Esther 20/04/09
      99.   Somebody must assume responsibility for the fate of 09:03  |  Akiva P 20/04/09
      100.   Not surprized 14:50  |  Non-Arab Saudi 20/04/09
      101.   Gaza, remember? 18:50  |  george 20/04/09
      102.   Re: #25 Elina 00:52  |  Alexa 21/04/09
      103.   Re: #30 D 00:57  |  Alexa 21/04/09
      104.   Re: Non-Arab Saudi 01:09  |  Muslim Arab Saudi 21/04/09
      105.   it is obvious who to blame 21:33  |  bluebell 21/04/09
      106.   98 , Esther, When are you going to stop blaming the victims ? 04:29  |  Dutch 22/04/09
      107.   Honest Answer, Tzfonit 08:23  |  Mark of Lewiston 22/04/09
      108.   To Peter Williams, 04:59  |  Adrieh 23/04/09
      109.   Nobody CARES, these sub human Gazans 19:34  |  Michelle 24/04/09
     Read & React
    Clinton: Israel at risk of losing support against Iran threat
    Responses: 95
    Is Netanyahu really on a collision course with Obama?
    Responses: 77
    Yossi Sarid: Sometimes evil is good for the Jews
    Responses: 37
    Jordan's king: Israel must choose - integration or isolation
    Responses: 95


    More Headlines
    18:34 Lieberman: Syria is no partner for peace
    15:31 Iran blames Israel, U.S. for deadly Iraq attacks
    15:46 Report: Lieberman, Egypt intel chief discussed 2-state solution
    09:50 U.S. flight to Israel diverted after passenger tries to storm cockpit
    16:19 3 arrested in Lebanon for allegedly spying for Israel
    07:26 Jordan's King Abdullah: Israel must choose integration or isolation
    14:35 Flemish Jews irked by state-funded `anti-Israel` Samson opera
    21:43 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    08:29 UN human rights commissioner denies Durban II was `hate-fest`
    09:55 Clinton makes first visit to Iraq as U.S. Secretary of State
    14:55 Man arrested for having sex while driving drunk down Petah Tikvah highway
    12:19 Two people killed, three hurt in Galilee road accident
    03:15 New Demjanjuk video casts doubt on alleged ex-Nazi guard's illness claim
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    The Meier on Rothschild Tower
    Masterpiece Residence in the Heart of Tel Aviv
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved