Gaza synagogues may be razed
Israel may destroy most synagogues and ritual baths in Gaza despite previous reports it would leave them intact, Yedioth Ahronoth reports; Top defence officials to discuss issue
“Israel will have no choice but to destroy most synagogues and Mikvehs (ritual baths) in the settlements slated to be evacuated to avoid the possibility of Palestinians looting them,” the source said.
Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz is set to discuss the issue with top military and security chiefs in the coming days as troops continue to prepare for Israel’s planned withdrawal of all 8,500 Jewish settlers from Gaza – it’s first pullout from land Palestinians want for a future state.
The officials will also discuss what to do with Jewish tombs in Gaza, such as a cemetery in Gush Katif, Gaza’s largest settlement bloc, which houses 48 graves.
A senior source in the committee overseeing the pullout said the group would examine three options: Demolishing all holy structures completely, destroying them partially and leaving a wall in tact to be transferred to Israel and construct a new building out of it, or try to move small synagogues to the Jewish state.
There are about 35 synagogues and 22 Mikvehs in Gush Katif. Most of the structures are small, but some are made of concrete and house up to 500 people.
“There is no chance of uprooting these buildings,” the security source said, adding that some of the Mikvehs would probably have to stay as well.
Houses to remain?
Following pressured by Washington not to leave behind “wanton destruction”, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had said earlier this month that synagogues and Jewish graves in Gaza were likely to be moved to Israel and that settler homes could remain in tact if the Palestinian Authority ensured they were not given to terrorists.
Israeli sources have said talks had been conducted about the possibility of selling the houses to the World Bank, although the United States has denied this.
Senior officials in the Defense Ministry have said behind closed doors that Israel should not demolish the homes because it would not be well-received by the rest of the world and would remind Israelis of the army’s evacuation of settlements in the Egyptian Sinai in 1982.
The prime minister has come under fire from settlers and right-wingers opposed to his plan to dismantle all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four from the West Bank; they say he is sacrificing their biblical birthright and have vowed to stop the disengagement.
The army has already taken steps to prepare for the pullout. Last week, troops started removing scores of non-essential equipment from the territory.
Gaza settler leaders are planning a mass protest against the withdrawal on Wednesday, promising to bring tens of thousands of people in Gush Katif. To avoid traffic congestion, forces plan to block private vehicles from entering to the settlement bloc, the military source said.
