JERUSALEM/GAZA/WEST BANK: IN A HISTORIC STEP, ISRAEL TO APPROVE DISENGAGEMENT FROM GAZA

Record ID: 400122

  • Title: JERUSALEM/GAZA/WEST BANK: IN A HISTORIC STEP, ISRAEL TO APPROVE DISENGAGEMENT FROM GAZA
  • Date: 20th February 2005
  • Summary: (BN07) JERUSALEM (FEBRUARY 20, 2005) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. SV ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER ARIEL SHARON ENTERING CABINET MEETING 0.10 2. SV ISRAELI MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU ENTERING CABINET MEETING 0.15 3. MCU (English) ISRAELI MINISTER OF HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION ITZHAK HERZOG, SAYING: "It means today that with the addition of the labour
  • Embargoed: 7th March 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: JERUSALEM/ GUSH KATIF, GAZA/ MAALE ADUMIM SETTLEMENT, WEST BANK/ VARIOUS WEST BANK
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Reuters ID: LVA3GL3ITSLGWZLCF19JRUR8ODUZ
  • Story Text: In a historic step, Israel to approve disengagement
    from Gaza.



    Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon convened the
    weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday (February 20) to vote on
    the historic withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and revised
    West Bank barrier route.

    Sharon's withdrawal plan has been called a possible
    step towards peace by both Israelis and Palestinians,
    buoyed by optimism after a truce agreement.

    "The government will discuss today and will decide on
    the issue of evacuating settlements included in the
    disengagement plan. It's not an easy day, it's not a happy
    day. The evacuation of settlements in Gaza and northern
    Samaria is a difficult step, a very difficult one,
    difficult for the residents, difficult for the citizens of
    Israel, difficult for me and I am sure also difficult for
    members of the government, but it is a crucial step for the
    future of the state of Israel. In addition, the government
    will vote today on the adjusted route of the fence. A route
    that provides a solution for the issue of Israel's security
    and is in line with the decisions of the supreme court of
    Israel ... I expect we will have a detailed and in depth
    discussion on both issues," PM Sharon said at the start of
    the meeting.

    But another Israeli cabinet decision expected on Sunday
    -- to endorse a barrier route looping around major West
    Bank settlement blocs -- was likely to add to Palestinian
    fears they could lose much of the West Bank that they also
    seek.

    The West Bank settlement of Maale Adumim was one of the
    large settlements to be incorporated in the revised barrier
    route to be approved on Sunday. And several construction
    sites reaffirmed Israel's intention to continue to build
    and strengthen the large West Bank settlement blocs.

    Cabinet approval for withdrawing from the Gaza
    settlements and four of the 120 in the West Bank would mean
    that settlers get the five months notice they need
    according to the law.

    Officials and pundits said the vote should pass easily.


    "It means today that with the addition of the labour
    party in the government, the government is passing one of
    the most historical resolutions in the history of the state
    of Israel, it's a painful resolution but it will change the
    course of the region," said Itzhak Herzog, ahead of the
    historic vote.

    Sharon has fought for over a year to get his withdrawal
    plan past rightists who once saw him as the settlers'
    patron and are loath to cede land captured in the 1967
    Middle East war.

    Polls show most Israelis welcome a withdrawal, but many
    settlers believe the land is a biblical birthright.

    Even if the withdrawal is approved on Sunday, opponents
    could use a pending budget vote to bring down the
    government. Sharon is still trying to juggle allies to back
    the budget and if he fails by the end of March, new
    elections must be called.

    Further cabinet votes would also be needed to approve
    specific settlement evacuations nearer the time.

    Israeli media said about 6,000 unarmed troops and
    police would be involved in removing each settlement.

    Settler leaders have urged non-violent resistance, but
    security services have said there could still be bloody
    confrontations.

    Concerns that withdrawals might be hampered by
    Palestinian militant attacks have receded somewhat since
    new President Mahmoud Abbas agreed a ceasefire with Sharon.

    Factions have not formalised the agreement, but are keeping
    a de facto truce.

    Israel's withdrawal from Gaza has been touted as a step
    towards reviving a U.S.-backed "road map" that would lead
    to a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.

    Palestinians have agreed to co-ordinate with Sharon on some
    aspects.

    But Palestinians remain worried that Sharon aims to
    abandon impoverished Gaza while holding onto far more
    populous West Bank settlement blocs that would take up land
    the Palestinians want and make a state unviable.

    Palestinian anger is certain to grow if the Israeli
    cabinet approves the barrier route taking in the three
    biggest blocs. Israel says the barrier stops suicide
    bombers. Palestinians say it's a land grab.

    In July, 2004, The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
    ruled against the construction of the barrier (the wall):
    "The construction of the wall, and its associated regime, are contrary
    to international law"
    Some 8,500 settlers live alongside 1.3 million
    Palestinians in the Gaza Strip compared to 230,000 settlers
    and 2.3 million Palestinians in the West Bank.



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