Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon has rejected out of hand rumors that settlers who refuse to leave their homes voluntarily by Wednesday will receive the full amount of compensation owed to them, despite attempts by political sources to claim otherwise.
“There is no basis to the rumors that we are considering to call off the reduction of compensation to those who do not leave by the 16th (of August) at midnight,” Maimon told Ynet.
“The law for implementing the pullout is completely clear, and I suggest that no one take upon himself the responsibility for misleading
the settlers and give them false hope that they would get the full compensation even if they don’t leave on time, because tomorrow morning they will lose the money.”
Earlier, Knesset Member Benny Elon (National Union) said that he estimates he would be able to convince a majority of Knesset members to provide the full compensation even to evacuees who do not leave before the deadline.
Garnering support
At the same time, Prime Minister Sharon is continuing efforts to garner public support for the pullout.
One day after a televised address to the nation, Sharon invited the heads of each Knesset faction to his office for a briefing about disengagement developments.
Tuesday morning, Sharon met Shas leader Eli Yishai, and he is scheduled to meet the chief rabbis Tuesday afternoon.
But National Religious Party chairman Zevulun Orlev refused to meet Sharon.
“I appreciate the invitation, but at this time I am more interested in spending time with the (Gaza) residents,” he wrote in a letter to the prime minister.
Wednesday, Sharon is expected to meet with President Moshe Katsav, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, and Opposition Leader Yosef Lapid.
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