Dahlan: Expects Israel to leave West Bank
Photo: Shaul Golan
Dahlan: Israel has changed
Israeli politicians, public have changed attitude to settlements, Palestinian minister says. Dahlan: One day an Israeli prime minister will evacuate West Bank
Palestinians expect more withdrawals: The Palestinians are unimpressed with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's declaration that there will not be a second disengagement, Palestinian Minister for Civilian Affairs Muhammad Dahlan said Monday.
If Israel continues to expand West Bank settlements and reinforce existing ones, "it will lead both peoples to more losses and defeats," said Dahlan, Speaking at a Gaza press conference. "Israelis must be convinced they must live over there, in Israel, while we live in our areas."
"This is the same Sharon who a month before announcing the disengagement declared that Netzarim and Tel Aviv are the same," he said. "It's clear to us that a deep change has occurred in the perception of Israel's political leadership and public in regards to the settlements."
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"They are there and we are here, because a ay will come and an Israeli prime minister, it will be Sharon or someone else, would adopt a similar position on West Bank settlements as happened in the (Gaza) Strip," Dahlan said.
'Expanding settlements a strategic mistake'
The Palestinian minister noted the disengagement was moving along at a quicker pace than expected, and added the Palestinians were glad that there "wasn't even one Palestinian violation during the withdrawal despite the Israeli incitement."
"Those who did conduct themselves badly were the settlers who burned property and displayed violence against soldiers, clarifying the difference between us and them," he said.
Turning his attention to border crossings, Dahlan said some progress was made in talks between the sides, but added there was still a long way to go.
"We made it clear to the international community that Palestinian control over the Rafah junction, the establishment of a safe passage between the Strip and the West Bank, and the operation of a port are all required to ensure the withdrawal is successful," he said. "If this doesn’t happen, we'll face the danger of returning to the cycle of violence.
"We are determined that not even one Israeli soldier will be (deployed) at the Rafah crossing, and we are willing to provide security guarantees to the Israelis in the form of an international third party."
Regarding the question of settlement explanation, Dahlan said the matter has been raised with other countries.
"We made it clear to the international community that it would be yet another strategic mistake by the Israelis that would undermine the peace process and place both peoples before even greater dangers," he said.
