Olmert: We Must Prepare Now For The Evacuation Of West Bank Settlers

Haaretz ^ | 7 Sept 2008 | Barak Ravid

[edpc]

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday that the government must start preparing now for the evacuation of settlers from the West Bank.

"Since it is possible we will need to make decisions in the future that will involve the evacuation of residents, we should already prepare for this now and think about its consequences, especially while serious [peace] negotiations are being held," said Olmert.

The prime minister made the comments at the beginning of a debate on Vice Premier Haim Ramon's evacuation-compensation bill at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. The bill would enable settlers who live beyond the security fence to receive financial compensation for relocating west of it.

Olmert added: "Over the last two years, they charged us with not having prepared in an appropriate fashion certain things connected to the disengagement that caused particular suffering to the [evacuated] residents - and now they are saying it's too early to talk about this, but it is still good to think about how to prepare in the right manner."

[edpc]

He was referring to Israel's 2005 pullout from the Gaza Strip and Northern West Bank, which was furiously protested against by much of the Right in Israel, in particular the rational-religious community.

Right.....because peace reigns for the Israelis who live in the areas surrounding Gaza. What a disaster.

[CondorFlight]

The Gaza withdrawl was such a huge success, why not try it again? (sarc/off)

Because the Palestinians become more peaceful and better neighbors every time Israel gives up more land or pulls its forces back (as from Lebanon).

(And I also believe in the Tooth Fairy...)

[SJackson]

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I recognize you could stay on longer as a totally lame duck, but with elections in 12 days, NOW is definitely the time for any plans you have to make.

[arthurus]

Might as well prepare for the evacuation of the Negev and the Coast while they are at it. And those people are talking about striking Iran? Whatever for? Iran will not use its nukes on Israel after it knows that the Israelis are evacuating Israel.Or maybe it will, considering what the paynim did to the functioning Israeli farms and plants that were left behind in Gaza. It shouldn’t much matter to the Israelis any more. They will be gone in a little time. Another diaspora? will they set up a new state in Antarctica?

[ChocChipCookie]

I thought Olmert was gone.