The Prime Minister's appearance at the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee yesterday was a milestone in the "progress" of the disengagement plan. He told the committee that those residents of Gush Katif and northern Shomron who wish to leave their homes could begin receiving compensation as soon as today. MK Sha'ul Yahalom of the National Religious Party protested: "But the government has not yet approved this!" Sharon then responded, "Really, Sha'ul, I know you're not naive. This is the plan that was approved, and everyone knows that the plan is going to be implemented. By the end of 2005, there will not be Jewish communities in Gaza."
Yahalom insisted, "But the government did not decide to evacuate communities."
Sharon: "You know that we had a problem passing the decision in the Cabinet, and therefore a formulation was found to approve the decision in principle that was accepted, and it will be carried out...
The compensation plan will be brought for another vote in the Cabinet, and you [the NRP] will yet support it."
It will be recalled that on June 6, after several days of compromise negotiations among several ministers, the Cabinet approved a watered-down version of the disengagement plan. Sharon said at the time that it is Israel's intention to relocate all Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip and four settlements in Samaria by the end of 2005, though the compromise version stated that it "does not include the dismantling of Jewish communities." Ministers Netanyahu, Livnat and Shalom agreed to vote for the plan because of several "improvements" that were inserted - for instance, it states not that the government "is obligated" to evacuate the Jewish towns, but rather "intends" to do so; it does not include specific dates; and the "letters of understanding" exchanged between Sharon and US President Bush - which refer to the simultaneous destruction of all 25 communities in Gaza and Shomron, as opposed to in four phases - are not "included" in the plan but are rather "exhibited."
Sharon made clear yesterday, however, that these "improvements" have significance only for the "naive," and that it is clear that the Jewish towns will be uprooted.
Sharon has said many times that the purpose of the disengagement from Gaza and parts of northern Shomron is to save Judea and Samaria - but yesterday he indicated that the "slippery slope" towards other parts of Yesha has already begun. Labor MK Chaim Ramon asked if residents of other northern Shomron communities such as Mevo Dotan could also receive compensation if they wish to leave. Sharon's response: "This is an interesting idea, and it will be passed on to the Directors-General committee that is dealing with the matter."
It must be noted that the Directors-General committee cannot lawfully deal with the evacuation of communities that has not been decided upon by the Cabinet. MK Yahalom said afterwards that government actions regarding compensation are illegal unless the relevant laws have been passed, "and if necessary, we will turn to the courts."
Prime Minister Sharon also told the Committee that those who, in the course of the evacuation, "raise a hand against policemen and soldiers" will have to pay out of their own pockets, implying that they would receive less compensation. The Prime Minister's Office later clarified that this was not the case. Israel Radio legal commentator Moshe Negbi said that it would not be legal to "penalize" residents in such a manner, and that punishing those who violate the law has nothing to do with the right of a resident to receive compensation for his property.
Yahalom insisted, "But the government did not decide to evacuate communities."
Sharon: "You know that we had a problem passing the decision in the Cabinet, and therefore a formulation was found to approve the decision in principle that was accepted, and it will be carried out...
The compensation plan will be brought for another vote in the Cabinet, and you [the NRP] will yet support it."
It will be recalled that on June 6, after several days of compromise negotiations among several ministers, the Cabinet approved a watered-down version of the disengagement plan. Sharon said at the time that it is Israel's intention to relocate all Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip and four settlements in Samaria by the end of 2005, though the compromise version stated that it "does not include the dismantling of Jewish communities." Ministers Netanyahu, Livnat and Shalom agreed to vote for the plan because of several "improvements" that were inserted - for instance, it states not that the government "is obligated" to evacuate the Jewish towns, but rather "intends" to do so; it does not include specific dates; and the "letters of understanding" exchanged between Sharon and US President Bush - which refer to the simultaneous destruction of all 25 communities in Gaza and Shomron, as opposed to in four phases - are not "included" in the plan but are rather "exhibited."
Sharon made clear yesterday, however, that these "improvements" have significance only for the "naive," and that it is clear that the Jewish towns will be uprooted.
Sharon has said many times that the purpose of the disengagement from Gaza and parts of northern Shomron is to save Judea and Samaria - but yesterday he indicated that the "slippery slope" towards other parts of Yesha has already begun. Labor MK Chaim Ramon asked if residents of other northern Shomron communities such as Mevo Dotan could also receive compensation if they wish to leave. Sharon's response: "This is an interesting idea, and it will be passed on to the Directors-General committee that is dealing with the matter."
It must be noted that the Directors-General committee cannot lawfully deal with the evacuation of communities that has not been decided upon by the Cabinet. MK Yahalom said afterwards that government actions regarding compensation are illegal unless the relevant laws have been passed, "and if necessary, we will turn to the courts."
Prime Minister Sharon also told the Committee that those who, in the course of the evacuation, "raise a hand against policemen and soldiers" will have to pay out of their own pockets, implying that they would receive less compensation. The Prime Minister's Office later clarified that this was not the case. Israel Radio legal commentator Moshe Negbi said that it would not be legal to "penalize" residents in such a manner, and that punishing those who violate the law has nothing to do with the right of a resident to receive compensation for his property.