The settlers claimed the land near the sea, built tall fences with barbed wire, and the Israeli government subsidized the homes for easy purchase from newcomers to Israel, often from the United States, and more recently from Russia, or Ethiopia.

The Palestinians are mostly refugees there. They left their homes in 1948, and their homes were simply taken over by the Israelis, who claimed the land as their own, and refused, until now, to let the rightful owners return home. But the people who live in Gaza retain the memories of their parents and grandparents, and they still will tell you that where they are from is not Gaza, but someplace north, in what is now Israel.

And that said, the article I read today also talked about the homes of the Israeli settlers being razed to the ground so that the Palestinians won’t occupy them, raise up their Fateh flag and use the house for ‘terrorist’ purposes.

Unbelievable the ignorance and the arrogance of that statement. As someone who is subsidized to live on a piece of land and in a beautiful home on the sea (albeit frought with violence), to say that no one else could occupy your home, not even a refugee whose parents built the homes that present Israelis call their own.

But I have great hope. I saw Gaza in 1999 and in 2000. During a time of hope. Before the time of great uncertainty and anger. It was peaceful. My young friend brought me to many shops, for music, food, clothing. He was so proud of the new street that Japan had built, running through the center of the city. He was so proud of his ‘new’ city in that time of some hope. There will be change again, and I am hopeful that the time is now. What Sharon has started is ultimately very very good, for both the Israeli people and the Palestinians. Fewer battles, fewer children afraid.

And maybe the people of Gaza will have more access to the beach, although, even as I was there, the Israeli warships are never out of sight, surrounding all possible escapes.

Take care.