Dr. Tamir Erez, a resident of Kibbutz Mefalsim in the Gaza border region, expressed his frustration and concern in an interview Wednesday morning on Kan Reshet B.
Dr. Erez, who was evacuated with his family to a hotel in Herzliya on October 7, now faces the prospect of having to leave their temporary accommodation.
"The government is effectively pushing people to return to a war zone," Dr. Erez stated. "If this situation had occurred before October 7, they would have evacuated us long ago. But now, it seems the money has run out, and perhaps we're not from the right political camp, so they're telling us to go back."
Dr. Erez described the government's plan as "cruel and wicked," arguing that the financial assistance offered is insufficient. "They're saying, 'Let's do you a favor and give you a few shekels so you can live elsewhere for another year.' This money isn't even enough to cover property taxes in another location."
Since October 15, Kibbutz Mefalsim residents have been staying at the Dan Accadia Hotel in Herzliya. Dr. Erez recounted how the government's stance has shifted over time, with repeated extensions of their stay followed by pressure to return. He questioned whether the authorities were "experimenting" on the evacuees or if budgetary constraints were forcing them back into a potentially dangerous area.
Dr. Erez also highlighted the emotional toll on families, particularly children. He criticized the government's handling of the situation, noting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had not visited their evacuation site. "This government has done nothing to protect us and continues to mistreat us," he asserted.
Reflecting on the broader context, Dr. Erez emphasized that the precarious situation in the Gaza border region predates the October 7 attack. "We are families living out of suitcases, well-practiced in packing up and fleeing during each round of violence. Why should this be at the expense of our children?" he asked.
Recalling the events of October 7, which he referred to as "Black Saturday," Dr. Erez described the experience as "an indescribable hell." He recounted standing outside a shelter, prepared for the worst while his family was inside, thinking, "Tamir, accept it today - you're going to die, but just don't let them get to your wife and children."
* Kann News contributed to this article.