* The Disengagement from the Gaza strip in August 2005 was one of the most dramatic and controversial government policies in Israel's history.

*8,500 settlers were moved from their homes, and the army withdrew leaving the million and a half Palestinian inhabitants of the Gaza strip.

* The policy was intended to bring security and advance the peace process. A year later, Israel is drawn into armed conflict on both the Northern and Southern borders. This day focuses on an examination of Israel's "southern exposure" and the long-term consequences of the disengagement. Has it achieved its aims? How could it have been done better? What conclusions will you draw from your own visit?

* Disengagement was the basis for the central policy of the Kadima government, led by Ehud Olmert, to carry out a similar "realignment" - "hitkansut" of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank. This policy was dropped in the wake of the war in Summer 2006.

*Was the "realignment" dropped as the disengagement is regarded as a failure? Will the Gaza border be the target of long-range Katyusha rockets in the future?

The tour visits the border area and looks out over the Gaza strip to see the places and issues from close up.

We will see places and meet people who now live under threat of Kassam missiles.

We will meet people who lost their homes in the Disengagement, and see and hear how they are rebuilding their lives and looking forward to the future.

Melitz's Re-Engaging Disengagement Tour is available as a full-day or half-day trip, to be integrated as a component in your Israel visit.

We can build your specific tour according to your goals, needs or interests from a wide choice of elements available: Interactive briefing about the Disengagement

highlighting a wide range of viewpoints and issues involved, a choice of observation points overlooking Gaza, visits to border settlements and meetings with local residents, briefing from Security officer of Gaza border area including seeing examples of Kassam missiles, the "Windchimes of Peace", meetings with former settlers in new temporary homes at a choice of venues.

Lunch and/or other refreshments are available to be included according to the full or half-day itinerary.

Some groups that we have worked with:

The Jewish Agency for Israel, the United Jewish Communities, the United Israel Appeal of Canada, UJIA (Great Britain), Keren HaYesod, The Israel Experience, Otzma, Israel Association of Community Centers, Jewish Community Centers Association, Netzer Olami, BBYO, United Synagogue of America, Neshama, WUJS, WIZO, JOFA (Jewish Orthodox Feminists of America), the Interreligious Coordinating Council of Israel, Birthright, Individual federations in the US including Baltimore, Detroit, Hartford, Kansas City, Memphis, Metrowest, Nashville, New York, Phoenix, Portland, Richmond, St Louis, Tidewater, West Palm Beach etc.; Boards of Jewish Education around the country including Boston, Pittsburgh, New Haven, etc.