Settlers: Let's stay together
צילום: גיל יוחנן
Settlers might accept Nitzanim plan
Gaza leaders vow to continue fight against disengagement, but say they would consider Sharon's offer to move as united bloc
GAZA - Several Gaza settler leaders said Thursday they would be willing to relocate to land Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had called to reserve for them last week if their communities are moved together.
The government is planning to pull out of all 21 Gaza Strip settlements and four of 120 in the West Bank this summer, but settlement leaders say the government is not offering enough compensation to allow families to establish new homes in Israel.
Sharon visited several towns last week in the western Negev desert, as well as the coastal region of Nitzanim, and ordered construction to begin on new homes for the settlers. He urged them to accept his offer to “copy” their communities into the towns.
Leaders of the council of Gush Katif, Gaza’s largest settlement bloc, said they would be willing to move into Nitzanim if the prime minister’s plan goes into effect. If they are forced to leave their homes, they said, they must “work together” with him.
But they said they would continue their fight against the plan, citing several lawsuits against the state that are currently under review by the Supreme Court.
”It is the government’s duty to give the refugees answers,” said council chief Avner Shimoni regarding the settlers. “We want to go as one bloc and stay together.”
