Prime Minister Sharon told CNN yesterday that Israel would withdraw from Jenin and Shechem within a week. He said, however, that the IDF would remain in Ramallah and Bethlehem until the wanted terrorists there give themselves up. Holed up with Arafat in the Mukata compound are the murderers of Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi, as well as the man who organized the Karin-A weapons ship. In Bethlehem\'s Church of the Nativity, some 200 terrorists are holding hostage a few dozen clergy and refuse to give themselves up.
Objections to Sharon\'s Jenin and Shechem plans were voiced today. Public Security Minister Uzi Landau is against quitting Jenin. He said today that the IDF should not leave the city before it completes the total clean-up of the tremendous terrorist infrastructure there. The Tekumah party, a faction of National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu that recently quit the government, has come out sharply against Sharon\'s intention to leave Shechem:
\"Abandoning Joseph\'s Tomb yet again will simply augment the shame when we originally abandoned it at the beginning of the war.\" Arutz-7\'s Kobi Sela reports that the Judea and Samaria IDF Commander met with Yesha leaders several days ago and told them that the army has no problem with the renewal of Jewish presence at the site. The government, however, has decided that it will not allow Jewish access to the site.
The Defense Ministry has announced plans to begin releasing some of the currently-serving reserve soldiers after Independence Day. Between 20,000 and 30,000 soldiers were called up with emergency orders over two weeks ago. It is not yet clear whether other soldiers will be called in to replace them.
Objections to Sharon\'s Jenin and Shechem plans were voiced today. Public Security Minister Uzi Landau is against quitting Jenin. He said today that the IDF should not leave the city before it completes the total clean-up of the tremendous terrorist infrastructure there. The Tekumah party, a faction of National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu that recently quit the government, has come out sharply against Sharon\'s intention to leave Shechem:
\"Abandoning Joseph\'s Tomb yet again will simply augment the shame when we originally abandoned it at the beginning of the war.\" Arutz-7\'s Kobi Sela reports that the Judea and Samaria IDF Commander met with Yesha leaders several days ago and told them that the army has no problem with the renewal of Jewish presence at the site. The government, however, has decided that it will not allow Jewish access to the site.
The Defense Ministry has announced plans to begin releasing some of the currently-serving reserve soldiers after Independence Day. Between 20,000 and 30,000 soldiers were called up with emergency orders over two weeks ago. It is not yet clear whether other soldiers will be called in to replace them.