Hotel Disengagement under watch

NEVE DEKALIM, Gaza Strip – Security forces do not plan to act immediately against ultranationalists who have moved to a hotel in a Gaza settlement to fortify the area ahead of an Israeli pullout and said the “consolidation” would make the evacuation easier, a security source said on Wednesday. Dozens of ultranationalists had flocked in recent weeks to settlements in Gaza to help settlers slated for evacuation under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to dismantle all 21 settlements from the area prepare to resist the withdrawal, which is set to start in August. Several of them have moved to a small hotel in the settlement of Neve Dekalim, located in Gush Katif, Gaza's largest settlement bloc. The government had said in March all Israelis were banned from moving to Gaza and the army is expected to shut off the area weeks before the pullout. Settlers and staunch rightists consider the West Bank and Gaza theirs by biblical birthright. Palestinians want the areas to be part of a future state. “We are conducting a legitimate struggle..against the policy of Sharon,” one of the settler leaders in the hotel, Nadia Matar, said. “There are almost 30 families in the hotel, and many more are on their way. We will keep building and constructing in a completely legal way to settle families here.” But the army and the police set to take part in the withdrawal are not expected to try and remove the group from the hotel soon, a security source said. “It’s better for the extremists to be consolidated in one place..so that if we choose to, we’ll be able to act against them,” the source said. 'Very nice people' Gaza Coast Regional Council Head Avner Shimoni said he was opposed to the ways of the group and that they did not represent the residents of Gush Katif. “There are 20 people in the hotel and Gush Katif has 9,000 people," he said. "They do not represent Gush Katif. We accept anyone who comes to live here and personally, I don't think they are provocateurs but rather very nice people. If illegal things are being done there, let the police handle them.” Another settler leader, who refused to be identified, said the group aimed to sabotage damaging relations between settlers and Israeli officials. The government is trying to negotiate with them about compensation and relocation. Each family is expected to receive nearly USD 500,000 to move. ”They give a bad name to the veteran residents, the farmers fighting for their home and their land, by turning us all to dazed Messianics,” said a settler leader who refused to be identified. “Beyond the fact that no one here is fighting this occurrence, I am astounded that security forces do not act against these people. What are they waiting for, an explosion?” he said. Shin Bet watch Shin Bet security service officials have been observing the hotel closely and have demanded forces act against its new residents by using legal means, before it turns into a “sanctuary that forces would have to infiltrate the hotel with weapons,” an army commander said. “If we do not stop (people from moving in), we could stumble into a problem in August 2005,” he said, adding that security forces consider the hotel a “target”. Nonetheless, forces are aware of what goes on and would be prepared to act against them if necessary, he added. “We know exactly what goes on, who comes and who goes in,” he said. “We know their plans. At this stage, they have not broken the law. But if and when they do, we will deal with them with all the means the Israeli legal system has.” Settler leader Eran Sternberg said he condemned violence of any kind but that he condoned anyone who came to fortify the settlement bloc. “I want to prevent the expulsion in any way possible, but not through violence. If they come here and live with us, bless them. As long as no one raises a hand or weapon against the soldiers, I am in favor of their presence.”

Hotel Disengagement under watch

Security forces keep watch on Gaza hotel where almost 30 rightists have flocked to in order to fortify area and help settlers prepare to resist August pullout; Settlement leaders say resistance will be non-violent