Vice Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister Ehud Olmert, in the U.S. on matters pertaining to his office, has been asked to "stop by" the offices of senior Administration figures and discuss Prime Minister Sharon's Gaza withdrawal plan. Olmert is to meet, therefore, with U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice today, requesting approval of the plan to unilaterally withdraw from Gaza.
Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz has now stated clearly that he is in favor of Sharon's plan to unilaterally withdraw from the southern Mediterranean coastal area. "The evacuation of settlements from Gaza will be a guarantee of greater security for the residents of Israel," he told Yediot Acharonot.
The U.S. Administration has thus far responded lukewarmly to the plan, and no definite time has yet been set for a Sharon-Bush White House meeting. Sharon plans to ask Bush to agree to an Israeli annexation of Yesha settlement blocs in return for the withdrawal, as well as help in compensating the residents who will be uprooted from their homes. Relocating each family is expected to cost close to half-a-million dollars.
As of Dec. 1, 2003, there were 7,820 residents in the Jewish communities of Gaza. The 17 communities are divided into four areas, which are, from north to south: three towns in northern Gaza; Netzarim; Kfar Darom; and 12 in Gush Katif. The largest of the towns is N'vei Dekalim, with close to 2,600 residents, followed by Nisanit, with 1,000.
Jews of Gaza will demonstrate outside Prime Minister Sharon's home in the Negev tomorrow. Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin and other public figures plan to visit Gush Katif next week, in solidarity with the Jews living there.
Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz has now stated clearly that he is in favor of Sharon's plan to unilaterally withdraw from the southern Mediterranean coastal area. "The evacuation of settlements from Gaza will be a guarantee of greater security for the residents of Israel," he told Yediot Acharonot.
The U.S. Administration has thus far responded lukewarmly to the plan, and no definite time has yet been set for a Sharon-Bush White House meeting. Sharon plans to ask Bush to agree to an Israeli annexation of Yesha settlement blocs in return for the withdrawal, as well as help in compensating the residents who will be uprooted from their homes. Relocating each family is expected to cost close to half-a-million dollars.
As of Dec. 1, 2003, there were 7,820 residents in the Jewish communities of Gaza. The 17 communities are divided into four areas, which are, from north to south: three towns in northern Gaza; Netzarim; Kfar Darom; and 12 in Gush Katif. The largest of the towns is N'vei Dekalim, with close to 2,600 residents, followed by Nisanit, with 1,000.
Jews of Gaza will demonstrate outside Prime Minister Sharon's home in the Negev tomorrow. Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin and other public figures plan to visit Gush Katif next week, in solidarity with the Jews living there.