Mike Huckabee at the Gush Katif Museum: I am here in the name of democracy and personal freedom.  All Israelis have the right to live wherever they choose.

Former Presidential candidate and Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee toured the Gush Katif Museum today (Wednesday), and lit a memorial candle in honor of K'doshei Gush Katif.  "I am here in the name of democracy, liberty and personal freedom.  Every human being has the right to choose where he will live and build his home, where he will work and where his children will study.  The Jewish People definitely have the right to live in freedom in their land."

During the course of his tour of Israel, Mike Huckabee visited the Gush Katif Museum, and heard first hand about the expulsion from Gush Katif from an expellee from the Gush.  Mr. Huckabee was joined by Deputy Minister of Galil Development, MK Mr. Ayoub Kara, who addressed Huckabee in the name of the Druze population in Israel. MK Kara implored Huckabee to join the efforts in strengthening Israel's stance, and its hold of its homeland.  "We are both non- Jews.  In the name of the Druze religion I state: it is forbidden to expel Jews!  Israel wishes to cede the Rajar village, misuse the Golan Law and strike a blow to human rights."

New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind accompanied Mr. Huckabee on his tour.

The visitors were greeted by one of the Museum staf membersf, Mr. Shlomo Wasserteil- a Ganei Tal expellee and one of the first farmers- and Rabbi Sholom Dov Volpo, founder of the Museum.

The visitors heard an historical overview about the Gaza Region settlements from the Chashmonai Era up until the expulsion, by Rivka Goldsmith of Ganei Tal.  They viewed the exhibit that tells the story of 35 years of agricultural settlements in the Gush, and their destruction.

Huckabee was very emotional as he watched the documentary films of the expulsion, where the Neve Dekalim residents are removed from the central shul in Gush Katif.  "We have never seen these pictures before", he said.  "It is imperative that we know what happened at Gush Katif."  Huckabee requested copies of the films from the Museum staff...

"I'm not a Zionist; I'm just a realist, and a lover of liberty – a value that is celebrated and common in both of our countries.  It is not feasible that an American citizen would be told by his government where he may or may not live.  This is one of the freedoms of mankind-to choose where and how to live.  It is surely not feasible to tell a Jew in his homeland not to build and not to live."

At the conclusion of his visit, Huckabee lit a memorial candle in honor of the 24 Jewish communities that were uprooted in Gush Katif and Northern Shomron.  The candle was lit opposite the "K'doshei Katif" memorial wall-in memory of those who fell in the line of duty and in terror attacks.  Standing in front of the Netzarim Menorah, Huckabee was presented with a work of art by artisan Aharon Shebo, titled "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem".  The Museum staff presented him with the souvenir gift. 

Rabbi Volpo, the Museum's founder, stated that we are working for world peace.  The way to achieve world peace is through liberty for the Jewish nation in our homeland.  "This is the message that we wish to convey to the American government.  President Obama has declared war on G-d and the Jewish nation in the Holy Land.  We hereby declare that that Jewish nation will continue to dwell peacefully in its land."