Shinui to formally propose evacuating Netzarim (Sharon could fall if Shinui quits coalition)

AP/The Jerusalem Post ^ | 4 November 2003 | ASSOCIATED PRESS

[anotherview]

Nov. 4, 2003
Shinui to formally propose evacuating Netzarim
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
JERUSALEM

(1) Two Israeli soldiers comfort each other after the bodies of three of their comrades were taken away at the Netzarim Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip.
(2) Justice Minister Tommy Lapid and
(3) Interior Minister Avraham Poraz
Photo: AP

Shinui, the second largest party in the coalition, proposes dismantling a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip and halting targeted killings of Palestinian terrorists to revive peace talks, a spokesman said Tuesday.

The proposal by the moderate Shinui party, to be formally presented next week, would be a major challenge to Sharon, an ardent supporter of Jewish settlement expansion. Sharon has said he considers Netzarim - the settlement targeted by Shinui for evacuation - of strategic importance.

The party did not say if it would quit the coalition if the proposal, which in parts resembles the US-backed "road map" peace plan, is rejected. Shinui has 15 legislators in the 120-member parliament, and could deprive Sharon of his parliamentary majority. The coalition rests on the support of 68 lawmakers.

Netzarim, south of Gaza City, is home to 60 families and is heavily guarded by Israeli troops.

[richardtavor]

IMO Israel must fight for every settlement, every square inch of Israel -- the land belongs to them, not the Palestinians.

[anotherview]

We're talking about central Gaza. How is that integral to Israel? Why does it belong to Israel?

[anotherview]

If the jewish state were to take this route, there would be a huge price to pay with the death of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people.

Yep, which is why I am one of those opposed to such an idea on Free Republic. I don't believe there is any value whatsoever to keeping Gaza. It isn't even part of the biblican promised land. The only reason to hold it now is because you can't give it directly to terrorists.

It may even lead to a WWIII with the USA (the only supporter of the jewish state) against the rest of he world.

I seriously doubt it. In any case you needn't worry. No Israeli government has ever advocated annexing all the territories, and the party that does (actually a coalition of small parties) has 7 whole seats in the Knesset. That idea may be mainstream on Free Republic, but not in Israel.

Don't expect the jewish state to join us in such scenario. It didn't support us in our war against terrorism, so why would it support us in a WW? The jews look after their own interests, not America's.

What an incredibly ignorant statement. Israel has supported the U.S. in every possible way in the war on terror. It is fighting the war on terror every day. When Iraq fired missiles into Israel during the first Gulf War Israel did not respond simply because President Bush (the first one) asked us not to. You won't find a more loyal ally than Israel.