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Photo: Hani Goldstein
Gush Katif greenhouses may soon be owned by Palestinians
Photo: Hani Goldstein

Will Dutch buy settler greenhouses?

According to deal Holland would purchase settler businesses and later grant them to Palestinians; Dutch fear Palestinians would refuse deal if it includes offering money to settlers for businesses established on conquered land

The National Security Council and Vice Premier Shimon Peres’s office have been working on a deal whereby Holland would purchase the greenhouses of Gush Katif settlers slated for evacuation.

 

The Dutch would afterward grant the greenhouses to Palestinians, according to the plan.

 

The money paid to the settlers is supposed to give them an incentive to leave their greenhouses behind and assist them in beginning a new life in the post-pullout era.

 

Notably, the government is not offering the settlers compensation for agricultural and farming-type businesses.

 

The additional compensation funds received from the Dutch would give the settlers the privilege of not having to transfer the greenhouses during the relocation, leaving them behind for the Palestinians’ benefit.

 

It is feared that, should the deal fall through and the settlers would not receive added monetary compensation, they would opt to transfer the greenhouses in their entirety or disassemble them and transfer only the portable parts during relocation.

 

Worried about Palestinian reaction

 

The greenhouses, according to the plan that is taking shape, will be handed to the Palestinians as a gift. But what is holding back the plan currently on the table is the Dutch concern that the Palestinians would refuse it if it includes giving money to settlers for businesses established on conquered territory.

 

Government officials explained that there's no possibility of a similar transfer of settler homes to the Palestinians.

 

"Regarding the homes, the state will be compensating the settlers in full. It's only the businesses that will not get full compensation," an official said.

 

"The homes become state property, while the businesses stay with the settlers."

 

The value of the greenhouses and one dairy barn included in the initiative are valued by professionals at USD 15 million.

 

Officials estimate that not all the settlers would be interested in transferring the greenhouses. Still, they warn of the sensitive nature of the deal.

 

"If no one comes and puts an offer on the table in the next two or three weeks, the discussion will be left hanging, unfinished," an official said.

 

Ynet has learned that, in attempting to advance the special compensation initiative, those involved with the deal turned to the World Bank and other European organizations and countries, such as Norway. However, only the Dutch signed on.

 

Regarding the homes of the settlers, there was supposed to be a cabinet debate on the issue last week.

 

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, taking the defense establishment's advice not to demolish the homes to heart, cancelled the cabinet discussion in order to try to coordinate a position with the Palestinians.

 

Sharon also sought to discuss the topic with international actors, such as Quartet envoy James Wolfensohn.

 

At present, there is no agreement with the Palestinians, who are themselves divided on the topic. Some want to demolish the homes, while others want to preserve them, or at least some of them.

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.15.05, 00:08
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