Leaving without a battle
Ynet exclusive: Most families in Gaza Strip settlement of Ganei Tal, whose residents are considered among hard core of pullout objectors, agree to evacuate community without struggle; decision preceded by covert contacts
Supporters of the move managed to get 48 families to sign the internal memorandum on Thursday. The deal stipulates that the residents would leave the community as a group and relocate to the same community.
Meanwhile, two families have changed their mind and rescinded their support.
Ganei Tal is a religious community established in 1979. The settlement is currently home to 65 families, meaning that the 46 families who have signed the document constitute a clear majority.
Covert contacts
Residents in Ganei Tal, which is also home to Knesset Member Zvi Hendel (National Union) apparently realized a while ago that. while they continue struggling against the disengagement plan, they should also take the initiative in case they are indeed forced out of Gush Katif.
Accordingly, local residents engaged in covert contacts regarding a voluntary evacuation.
Initiative organizers declined comment on the story, but a Ganei Tal resident told Ynet that as the pullout date approaches, residents are increasingly tense.
"We hope that the process bears fruit and if we're destined to be evacuated, at least we'll move out of here as a community," he said.
Evacuation Overview
Neveh Dekalim: Residents of the largest settlement in Gush Katif will be moved to "cara-villas" (upscale mobile homes) in Nitzan, near Binyamin, until permanent homes are built for them
Dugit: The Disengagement Authority said residents will be settled throughout the country.
Nisanit: Residents will, for a time, be given rented apartments in Ashkelon but will then move to Shaked Range (originally designated as the city's golf course village). Nineteen families from the settlement have signed a deal to move to Bat Hadar, also in the area.
Elei Sinai: Residents will be first settled in rented Ashkelon apartments and then be moved to Shaked, Nitzanim and other places. Nineteen families have agreed to move to Bat Hadar.
Rafiah Yam: The government plans to transfer residents to Mivkaim, though some want to go to Nitzanim.
Pe'at Sadeh: Families have the opportunity to move as one group to Mivkaim, where they will live in "cara-villas" before their permanent homes are built.
Atzmona: Residents are expected to be evacuated to Yated and Yavul; however, most of them have not contacted the Disengagement Authority.
Kfar Darom: Residents will get rented apartments in Ashkelon. But since there has been no contact with the Disengagement Authority, it is not known where they will go as part of a permanent housing solution.
Netzarim: Residents believe that disengagement will not occur.
Katif: Residents will first go to Ashkelon and Nitzan, then Nitzanim.
Netzer Hazani: Residents will first go to Ashkelon and Nitzan, then Nitzanim.
Gan Or: Residents will first go to Ashkelon and Nitzan, then possibly Ein Tzurim.
Gadid, Morag and B'dolah: Residents will go to Ashkelon and then Nitzan.
Ganim and Kadim: Residents are willing to leave, but the government has not yet found temporary living arrangements for them.
Sa-Nur: This is the settlement from which not a single individual has gotten in contact with the Disengagement Authority.
Chumash: Thirty-five families have agreed to move to Yad Hannah.
