Eight and a half years have passed since the Disengagement from Gush Katif and northern Samaria. Many children and youth today did not experience the event and do not know the history inherent in this region. It was decided to enable schools to dedicate a day entirely to the study of Gush Katif, to be held this Thursday.
This year, for the first time, the Katif Center also produced appropriate lesson plans for the lower grades (1 – 4) – who were born after the Disengagement. They emphasized that the purpose of the day is not just to remember the past, but to show the story of Gush Katif while integrating educational values such as emunah (faith), the State of Israel, Zionism and settlement.
Gush Katif Day is set to be on 22nd of Shvat, marking the date that the first settlement of Gush Katif, Netzer Chazani, was settled 37 years ago.
About 700 schools have ordered the educational package prepared for this day by the Katif Center.
Students in high schools also have improved study material and this year the students will experience the story of Gush Katif through the eyes of former residents which are documented in over 800 personal interviews filmed.