Halakhah zu Ejchah 5:2

In light of this point, I propose that we bear in mind the tragedy of Gush Katif when we recite in Selichot, “yofi admateinu l’zarim,” the beauty of our land is in the hands of nochrim. This phrase perfectly matches and captures the tragic loss of Gush Katif⁷³Yakir Forman adds the same idea should apply when we hear Eichah 5:2 (“Nachalateinu Nehefchah LeZarim, Bateinu LeNochrim, Our land has been handed over to strangers; our houses to foreigners”) and subsequently recite it in the first Kinnah on Tishah B'av night. . In addition, the Sephardic liturgy for Tisha B’Av mentions (immediately prior to the removal of the Sefer Torah for Keriat HaTorah) that Eretz Yisrael is kevushah, conquered. Not only may we bear in mind that this refers to Gush Katif, but this phrase may also remind us that even today, the Israeli government is not completely free to act as we wish in Eretz Yisrael, as it is subject to external pressures that brought about the loss of Gush Katif.