Will evacuees' plight be resolved?
Photo: Amir Cohen
Knesset orders inquiry into handling of Gaza evacuees
State Control Committee votes in favor of commission of inquiry into handling of Gush Katif evacuees. MK Vilan slams move, characterizes it as 'cheap populism'; MK Orlev: Government expelled 10,000 people and abandoned them
Three years after the disengagement from the Gaza Strip, the Knesset's State Control Committee has decided to establish a state commission of inquiry to look into the handling of Gush Katif evacuees.
The decision to establish the commission was passed by a 9-3 margin. State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss, who also participated in the discussion, said he backs the move. "This isn't a political issue; it pertains to everyone," he said.
Gaza Disengagement
Amnon Meranda
Bill that would grant pardon to disengagement protestors passes first reading at Knesset; tempers flare as Meretz MK Zahava Gal-On compares Right's conduct to Nazis who exploited German democracy's weakness
Meretz Knesset Member Avshalom Vilan objected to the decision and asked Lindenstrauss whether a commission of inquiry can be expected after any future evacuation. The comptroller replied: "I'm not discussing the future, but rather, the past and what happened in the past. I don't think this has implications for our position in the future."
'Plenty of good will'
Vilan, who characterized the move as "cheap populism" criticized Lindenstrauss' involvement in the issue and said he should stay out of what he termed a political discussion.Meanwhile, State Control Committee Chairman Zevulun Orlev (National Union-NRP) backed the move and said that "the government expelled 10,000 people from their homes and abandoned them."
Prime Minister's Office Director General Raanan Dinur also took part in the session and said a commission of inquiry may be a good idea.
"We're engaged in excellent dialogue with several Knesset members, and there's plenty of good will on the part of everyone to provide solutions," he said. "I have only one intention: To see the issue of the Gush Katif evacuees resolved as quickly as possible."
