'Let them dance on the rooftops'

JERUSALEM - Transportation Minister Meir Sheetrit told Ynet it would be "stupid" to destroy the homes to be evacuated in Gush Katif next week. His comments came ahead of a planned Knesset debate on the matter, amid a split in recommendations from government ministers on the matter. The Defense Ministry and the National Security Council have recommended the government order all homes in all 21 settlements slated for evacuation to be left intact after settlers are removed in August. Ministry officials say they feel the disadvantages of destroying the houses, which they said included a prolonged military stay in Gaza after the withdrawal, as well as environmental and political considerations, far outweigh any advantages that could result from such a move. Likud split However, like the disengagement itselt, the issue has split Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud party. Most senior Likud lawmakers, including Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Education Minister Limor Livnat and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, support destroying the homes, fearing they could be looted by Palestinians after the pullout or given to terrorists. On the other side, Sheetrit, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Internal Security Minister Gidon Ezra are in favor of turning the buildings over to the Palestinians in hopes they would be given to refugees. "Destroying the homes would be stupid," Sheetrit told Ynet. "Leave the houses for the Palestinian Authority to house refugees, instead of keeping them in camps for future use as a political weapon against Israel. Let's say to the Palestinians: Here are some houses - put your refugees here. And if they don't do it, let them explain to the world why not." 'Let them dance' Sheetrit, a Likud member, said he doesn't care if Palestinians dance on settlement rooftops following the evacuation. "Let them dance. The world must see that we are leaving of our own volition. If they dance on the rooftops, let them explain that to the world. We just need to get out of there," he said. Sheetrit also said some settlers specifically asked that their homes not be destroyed. "They told me they hope there is peace one day, and that they would be able to bring their children back one day to say, 'This was our house,'" he said. The minister said he would stick to his position even in the absence of any Palestinian compensation for the buildings, but said an exception might be appropriate for former synagogues in the area. "The remains of Yamit (the last Sinai settlement to be evacuated in 1982) have remained there like a memorial to the conflict," he said. "It hasn't helped Israel at all, but has only inflamed things." Justice Minister Tzipi Livni has proposed paying the Palestinians to clear away the rubble if buildings are destroyed, thus alleviating the risk of leaving IDF soldiers in the area following disengagement.

'Let them dance on the rooftops'

In exclusive Ynet interview, transportation minister says it would be 'stupid' to destroy Gaza settler houses following disengagement