|
||
|
Pullout Plan |
||
Gaza homes
Photo: Danny Salomon
|
||
|
||
Evacuated homes' fate undecided
The houses of Gaza Strip residents slated for evacuation should not be razed, government experts recommend
By Diana Bahur-Nir
The houses of Gaza Strip residents slated for evacuation should not be razed, government experts recommend
By Diana Bahur-Nir
JERUSALEM – Gaza Strip houses slated for evacuation in the framework of the disengagement plan should be left intact, government experts recommend.
An earlier government decision called for the homes to be razed, but military, police, and other officials who have extensively debated the matter say it is in Israel’s interest to refrain from demolishing the houses.
The experts say razing the homes would cost millions of dollars, and make the evacuation operation lengthier. Moreover, the extensive destruction could lead to an environmental crisis.
However, the main factor to keep in mind, the officials say, is the international community’s reaction. Political sources say international law calls for the evacuated area to be left in the same state, or in a better state, than it was before.
“In terms of all practical aspects, the Israeli interest is to refrain from razing,” an official who did not want to be named said.
One important factor in favor of demolishing evacuated homes, however, is local public opinion.
“The problem clearly lies in the psychological realm,” a minister who declined to be named told Ynet. “People don’t want to see their homes taken over by Palestinian families.”
Final decision yet to be taken
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told Ynet that a decision on the matter has not been taken yet. A final decision is expected in the coming weeks, he said.
“I think we need to wait and examine several more issues,” he said.
Sources at the Prime Minister’s Office said they have yet to receive a recommendation on the matter. The sources said they are unaware of an intention to amend the previous government decision that called for razing the houses.
However, a close Sharon associate who declined to be named estimated that the state of relations with the Palestinians would also play a part in the decision.
“We can assume that the atmosphere created ahead of the disengagement, and the question of how it will be carried out, would have an effect,” the source said.
Back