Sharon to rethink Gaza homes' razing
Despite earlier government decision to demolish evacuated Gaza homes, prime minister set to reassess question, Ynet learns
JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has agreed to reconsider an earlier government decision to raze the homes of Gaza evacuees, Ynet has found.
Sharon is expected to convene a meeting on the matter soon, following calls by ministers and security officials who say the houses should be left intact.
Earlier Sunday, Sharon met with Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. The prime minister instructed the two to finalize the pullout plan’s financial aspects by the weekend.
According to recent estimates, the disengagement plan’s cost would exceed NIS 5 billion (over USD 1 billion.) The sum is much larger than originally estimated.
Compensation to evacuated settlers is expected to reach NIS 3 billion (about USD 650 million,) while the evacuation of military forces has been budgeted at about NIS 2 billion (approximately USD 450.)
Palestinians must fight terror
Sharon also attended a Likud Secretariat meeting Sunday and called on the Palestinian Authority to act against terrorists.
“The Authority’s leadership must act against terror organizations,” he said. “This is their test.”
Sharon said he made it clear that the continuation of attacks would halt any progress in Israeli-Palestinian talks.
The Likud Secretariat has convened for the first time since its new heads were appointed. The Secretariat, which is the party's administrative body, oversees the Likud's day-to-day activities.
The meeting took place in the wake of the Tel Aviv terror attack Friday, and amid calls to hold a national referendum on the disengagement plan.
The meeting is expected to serve as the run-up to the Likud Central Committee meeting Thursday, where members are set to vote on a proposed bill obliging Likud party members to support a referendum bill in the Knesset.
Letter sent to settlers
Meanwhile, pullout preparations are picking up. Disengagement administration head Yonatan Bassi sent a letter to settlers slated for evacuation and offered them assistance.
“In order to help you, the residents, the best professionals in Israel were recruited and assistance plans were prepared in various fields,” the letter said.
Settlers were also informed that a guide containing useful information would be handed out to every family facing evacuation. In addition, an interactive website and a call center for dealing with questions and concerns is being established.
“A special emphasis in the preparation process would be placed on the education system…in order to prepare the children and youth as best as possible,” the letter also noted.
