The Council's Deputy Mayor discussed with Sharon's staffers the possibility of a voluntary departure by the residents, in exchange for improvements in the compensation package being offered them. Headlines in Israel's papers this week depicted the "Gush Katif settlers" as preferring money over ideology.
Together with other residents, the official, a resident of N'vei Dekalim who is also a member of the secretariats of Morag and Pe'at Sadeh, met with Sharon aides – but now regrets it. Such meetings will not be held again, they decided.
"I wanted only to protest against the wicked robbery that the government is planning against us," the Deputy Mayor said. "We acted in good faith, and we were not aware of the grave public ramifications that stemmed from it."
In his public letter to the residents, he wrote,
"I took this step [of meeting with them] only out of sincere concern for the future of all of us, and because of the deep responsibility I feel as a public servant towards all of us. I had only good intentions. Contrary to the headlines, we did not present 'money-grubbing' demands, but rather harsh criticism of the Prime Minister for his plan. We demanded answers as to why we deserve this decree, and we demanded that the uncertainty be cleared up.
"In retrospect, however, I realize that this independent approach that I led was mistaken. It can be clearly seen how, against our will, it inevitably meant a blow at the struggle being led by the Regional Council and the Struggle Task Force – and the proof is in the evil headlines. I would like to express deep sorrow and to apologize to the residents of the Gaza Coast Council for the damage that was caused, and for the fabricated interpretation that was given it."
He concluded his letter by writing,
"After the fact, I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to call upon all of us: Don't be fooled into meeting with those who would uproot and expel us! As someone who was there and back, I can testify that the only thing we met up with there was a wall of evil and obtuseness."
In response to news that members of two communities are in an advanced stage of negotiations to move to Kiryat Gat, Gaza Coast spokesman Eran Sternberg said, "We are used to these false announcements by the Disengagement Authority. According to these reports, they have already signed up so many of us that there should have been a negative number of residents by now..."
"The vast majority of the residents are standing firm against the attempt to bribe us," Sternberg said, "in the recognition of the great importance of this place for the existence of the State of Israel. We plan to live here for many more years."
Together with other residents, the official, a resident of N'vei Dekalim who is also a member of the secretariats of Morag and Pe'at Sadeh, met with Sharon aides – but now regrets it. Such meetings will not be held again, they decided.
"I wanted only to protest against the wicked robbery that the government is planning against us," the Deputy Mayor said. "We acted in good faith, and we were not aware of the grave public ramifications that stemmed from it."
In his public letter to the residents, he wrote,
"I took this step [of meeting with them] only out of sincere concern for the future of all of us, and because of the deep responsibility I feel as a public servant towards all of us. I had only good intentions. Contrary to the headlines, we did not present 'money-grubbing' demands, but rather harsh criticism of the Prime Minister for his plan. We demanded answers as to why we deserve this decree, and we demanded that the uncertainty be cleared up.
"In retrospect, however, I realize that this independent approach that I led was mistaken. It can be clearly seen how, against our will, it inevitably meant a blow at the struggle being led by the Regional Council and the Struggle Task Force – and the proof is in the evil headlines. I would like to express deep sorrow and to apologize to the residents of the Gaza Coast Council for the damage that was caused, and for the fabricated interpretation that was given it."
He concluded his letter by writing,
"After the fact, I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to call upon all of us: Don't be fooled into meeting with those who would uproot and expel us! As someone who was there and back, I can testify that the only thing we met up with there was a wall of evil and obtuseness."
In response to news that members of two communities are in an advanced stage of negotiations to move to Kiryat Gat, Gaza Coast spokesman Eran Sternberg said, "We are used to these false announcements by the Disengagement Authority. According to these reports, they have already signed up so many of us that there should have been a negative number of residents by now..."
"The vast majority of the residents are standing firm against the attempt to bribe us," Sternberg said, "in the recognition of the great importance of this place for the existence of the State of Israel. We plan to live here for many more years."