JERUSALEM - The ministerial committee charged with addressing evacuation-related matters decided Tuesday to authorize the purchase of caravans as a temporary housing solution for would-be evacuees.
The decision comes only 92 days before the disengagement plan is set to get under way.
Meanwhile, calls to delay the pullout because of the Tisha B’Av mourning period were not discussed, because no defense establishment representatives attended the session.
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However, the committee decided to accept Housing Minister Yitzhak Herzog’s proposal to reject the construction of additional towns in the Nitzanim
dunes area and expand the southern town of Nitzan instead.
The committee also tasked the Agriculture Ministry with submitting a list of potential agricultural lands for the evacuees within the next two days.
Prior to the meeting, Herzog toured areas that are expected to accommodate evacuees in Ashkelon and the southern Nitzanim area. The minister was also briefed on the Ashkelon Municipality’s plan to settle evacuees in the area, including in trailer parks.
Settlers want new resort
During the tour, environmental organizations' representatives told Herzog they staunchly oppose the proposal to settle evacuees in the region.
Israel Nature Preservation Society representative
Yoav Sagi said: "If caravans will be set up there, they will remain there forever.”
Settlers slated for evacuation who have expressed their willingness to move to the Nitzanim region demand that a resort be constructed there, similar to the one in Gush Katif.
Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mahatzari said: “We have available land north of the city where there is an open beach that was designated for a holiday and fishing resort; it can serve the settlers.”
“However, we will continue to oppose any damage to the city’s green lands,” he said.
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