Speaking at the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem this afternoon, Weisglass said that the purpose of including the four Shomron [Samaria] towns – Ganim, Kadim, Sa-Nur and Chomesh – in the current disengagement plan is to "defuse talk that Israel plans to leave Gaza but to remain in Judea and Samaria forever."
This was reported by Israel Radio. Another report of Weisglass' speech, by the Hebrew website Nana, stated that he promised there would be no further disengagements, as "we have seen what a major split in the country this one has caused." The implication was that further withdrawals would not be implemented unilaterally, but only as the result of negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.
Likud MK Uzi Landau stated last night that Prime Minister Sharon plans to withdraw from more Yesha areas – but really aroused Sharon's ire by saying that Sharon plans to divide Jerusalem. "Sharon has already said in the past that we will have to give up Shilo, Beit El and other places," Landau said. "All that's left for real negotiations is Jerusalem; that will be the heart of the talks, and in the end, Sharon will concede."
Sharon made sure to deny this morning what he called the "unfounded rumors" regarding his plans for Jerusalem. Sharon said, "Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish People, and so it will remain forever."
Sharon's plan seems to jibe, at least partly, with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen)'s demands. He said yesterday that he stands firm on Israel's withdrawal from all of Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha).
Speaking with Der Spiegel magazine in Germany, Abu Mazen added, however, that he will also insist on Jerusalem as the capital of a new Palestinian state. He hinted that he would be willing to compromise on the long-standing demand that millions of Arabs in other countries be allowed to return.
The PA leader was unable to garner sufficient support for his new government today, and will try again tomorrow.
Abu Mazen made the remarks about Yesha and Jerusalem yesterday, at the same time that Sharon and Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz were signing orders giving all Jewish residents in Gaza and northern Samaria until July 20 to leave their homes.
The government plans to allow the residents five days to get out, and will then begin their forcible evacuation. The expulsion will thus begin one day after the fast of the 17th of Tammuz, at the beginning of the annual Three Weeks period during which Jews mourn the destruction of Jerusalem. Mourning customs increase in intensity during the Three Weeks, culminating with the Ninth of Av (Tisha B'Av), a fast day second in importance only to Yom Kippur. It is the date of the destruction of both the First and Second Temples, as well as the date all Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492.
This was reported by Israel Radio. Another report of Weisglass' speech, by the Hebrew website Nana, stated that he promised there would be no further disengagements, as "we have seen what a major split in the country this one has caused." The implication was that further withdrawals would not be implemented unilaterally, but only as the result of negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.
PM Sharon and Dov Weisglass
Likud MK Uzi Landau stated last night that Prime Minister Sharon plans to withdraw from more Yesha areas – but really aroused Sharon's ire by saying that Sharon plans to divide Jerusalem. "Sharon has already said in the past that we will have to give up Shilo, Beit El and other places," Landau said. "All that's left for real negotiations is Jerusalem; that will be the heart of the talks, and in the end, Sharon will concede."
Sharon made sure to deny this morning what he called the "unfounded rumors" regarding his plans for Jerusalem. Sharon said, "Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish People, and so it will remain forever."
Sharon's plan seems to jibe, at least partly, with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen)'s demands. He said yesterday that he stands firm on Israel's withdrawal from all of Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha).
Speaking with Der Spiegel magazine in Germany, Abu Mazen added, however, that he will also insist on Jerusalem as the capital of a new Palestinian state. He hinted that he would be willing to compromise on the long-standing demand that millions of Arabs in other countries be allowed to return.
The PA leader was unable to garner sufficient support for his new government today, and will try again tomorrow.
Abu Mazen made the remarks about Yesha and Jerusalem yesterday, at the same time that Sharon and Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz were signing orders giving all Jewish residents in Gaza and northern Samaria until July 20 to leave their homes.
The government plans to allow the residents five days to get out, and will then begin their forcible evacuation. The expulsion will thus begin one day after the fast of the 17th of Tammuz, at the beginning of the annual Three Weeks period during which Jews mourn the destruction of Jerusalem. Mourning customs increase in intensity during the Three Weeks, culminating with the Ninth of Av (Tisha B'Av), a fast day second in importance only to Yom Kippur. It is the date of the destruction of both the First and Second Temples, as well as the date all Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492.