Minister of Science and Technology at Gush Katif Museum
26 Tishtey 5770 / 14/10/2009
Minister Hershkowitz could not hold back his tears, and proclaimed: This was the low point of the Zionist movement that was established to build and not to destroy; it must not be forgotten
Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz, Minister of Science and Technology, recently visited the Gush Katif Museum in Yerushalayim.
During the coming weeks other ministers are expected to visit at the Museum. In the course of his visit to the "Black Room" in the Museum, the minister had difficulty holding back his tears at what his eyes saw.
Minister Hershkowitz wrote in the visitors: "It's hard to hold back tears when we remember the great crisis, the low point of the Zionist movement, the movement aimed at settling the Land of Israel, not uprooting the nation from it."
During the visit the minister said: "It is very difficult to be here. The visit and the pictures bring us back to a period in time that we wish to forget, but must not forget."
The minister was asked how we can make sure that the story of Gush Katif is remembered. He replied: "Places like the Gush Katif Museum and adding the history to the school curriculums where appropriate, along with national activities throughout the year, will perpetuate and remind us of what was here, with hope that if we remember, we will not be exposed to something like that again.
"I hope that Israel should learn the lesson before the government. The biggest fear is forgetting, and if you forget – mistakes are repeated. If people remember, the government will remember".
