Israel Could Shift Gaza Settlers to West Bank

[Scurrilous]

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5422790

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"Israel is considering moving settlers slated for evacuation from Gaza to expanded West Bank enclaves despite U.S. objections to the Jewish state cementing a hold on occupied land, security sources said on Tuesday.
The daily Maariv said Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz ordered plans drawn up for hundreds of new homes at the Gush Etzion bloc for use by 7,500 Gaza settlers who are to be evacuated under a plan to "disengage" from conflict with the Palestinians."

<snip>

"The Palestinians, who want the West Bank along with Gaza -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- for a viable independent state envisaged by the "road map," cried foul.
"The whole idea was to turn a Gaza withdrawal into an opportunity (for peace)," Palestinian Negotiations Minister Saeb Erekat told Reuters. "If Mr. Mofaz takes settlers from Gaza to the West Bank, that would kill the idea."

<snip>

"The latest West Bank actions drew censure from Israeli opposition leader Shimon Peres, whose Labour Party could join Sharon's ruling Likud in a broad coalition that would bolster him against ultra-rightists in his camp opposed to withdrawals.

"While busying themselves with just talking about Gaza, they (Sharon government) are busy taking action in Judea and Samaria (West Bank)," Peres told Israel Radio. "I'm talking about the construction, expansion, statements and (intended) annexations."

[Scurrilous]

1. West Bank land grab to offset Gaza pullout?

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/ACFF4401-CF6B-455C-B972-4AC35DDCB94B.htm

<snip>

Israel has decided to grab large swathes of land in the northern and central West Bank, to make up as it were for the planned unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip.

"According to Israeli press sources, the seizure of the land has already started around at least three Jewish settlements - Ariel, Kedumim and Immanuel.
Some reports say Israeli army officers have handed Palestinian farmers notifications informing them of confiscation of their land."

<snip>

""We knew from the very inception that Sharon's disengagement plan in Gaza had another code name and that is the 'annexation of the West Bank'," Palestinian political analyst Hani al-Masri told Aljazeera.net.

He quoted a recent Israeli press report according to which Sharon sought to assure an unnamed cabinet minister opposed to the Gaza plan, that the pullout would enable Israel to neutralise once and for all UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and enjoy "50 years of safety, security and serenity".

"In any case, what is important is not the report itself but what is happening on the ground, and what is happening proves the veracity of the report beyond any doubt," al-Masri said."