Disengagement delay?

JERUSALEM - The ministers' committee responsible for Gaza evacuee compensation met Tuesday to discuss the possibility of postponing the scheduled pullout until after the annual three-week mourning period marking the destruction of the two Temples, but no decision was reached on the matter. The committee stalled deliberations regarding the possible delay as no security establishment officials were on hand. It should be noted the committee has no authority to decide on the issue of posponing the scheduled pullout. “We need to make an effort to ease their (settlers) suffering, to get through the difficult crisis," Sharon said Monday. Minister Without Portfolio Haim Ramon said he, too, would support the postponement. "The postponement must coordinated with the military, so that in any case, the disengagement would be completed a week before Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year in early October)," he said. IDF officials conflicted regarding delay’s effects An IDF official told Ynet that a problem in the field or a terror attack could also prompt a three-week delay therefore, the possible postponement is not that significant, he said. In addition, sources close to Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said they believe he is inclined to accept any proposal that could ease the evacuees’ lives and help the sensitive process. Mofaz is set to announce his opinion following a meeting with the defense establishment's senior officials. The committee, headed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, was also set to discuss the relocation of the 8,500 Jewish settlers living in Gaza and examine possible alternative homes for them. Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz's plan to transfer the Gaza agriculture projects to the Palmahim region near Rishon Lezion was taken off the agenda by Sharon. Opinion: Alan D. Abbey: Consider a 'mourning' period Opinion: Nahum Barnea: What will happen to the flowers?

Disengagement delay?

Ministers' committee responsible for evacuee compensation fails to decide on possibility of delaying planned pullout from July to August