‘We want a private beach’

Settlers from the northern Gaza settlement of Nisanit, who are slated for evacuation as part of the scheduled pullout plan, demand, in addition to the seaside Askelon neighborhood they have already been promised, a private beach and a shopping mall, according to a letter presented by Saar Reshef, lawyer for the Nisanit settlers, to Disengagement Authority Head Yonatan Bassi Friday.

During a meeting between Nisanit representatives and Bassi, the settlers also demanded schools and kindergartens, medical clinics, reduced property tax payments for the first two years, green areas and participation in the neighborhood’s construction plans.

The Disengagement Authority recently gave its authorization Tuesday for the building of a new, seaside neighborhood in Ashkelon for the Nisanit settlers.

According to the plan, instead of getting financial compensation the settlers will get plots bought by the Authority at a reduced rate.

Settlers instead of golf

Bassi said the settlers’ demands must be included in the framework of the evacuation-compensation bill.

“If the demands will be exaggerated they will not be met,” he said.

The prospective settler neighborhood would sit on a quarter of a dunam (one-eighth of an acre) of land and very close to the upscale Ashkelon neighborhood of Barnea.

The area was initially zoned for a high-class golf resort, which was an ambitious project by the Ashkelon municipality, which wanted to create a rival site to the golf club in Ceasaria. However, the real estate investor ran into financial difficulties, and the property fell under the control of Discount Bank.

Bassi refused to say how many Nisanit families have already enlisted to the relocation plan, but mentioned that most of the important issues were agreed upon during the meeting.

The settlers are expected to meet with Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mahatzri Monday and decide whether they agree to the relocation plan.