Israel is promising to implement its pullout from
Gaza on schedule this summer, despite a lack of cooperation from Jewish
settlers. Israeli public support for the withdrawal is diminishing.
With the target date for starting the Gaza pullout just over two months
away, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon convened Cabinet ministers to discuss
progress. And for Mr. Sharon, the news wasn't good. The top official
planning the withdrawal said only 87 of 1,800 Gaza settler families have
applied for compensation.
Gaza resident Rachel Sapperstein says the aim is to pressure the
government to call off the
pullout.
"The people here want to stay home, and we are going to resist up until
the end," she said.
Mr. Sharon accused the settlers and their supporters of incitement, and
warned that demonstrations and vandalism will not stop the
evacuation of 21 Gaza settlements.
"The evacuation will take place
exactly on schedule," Mr. Sharon said, referring to the target date of
mid-August.
But a new poll shows that Israeli public support for the pullout is
plunging. The Israel Radio
poll showed 50 percent support for the plan, down from a high of 64
percent last year. The drop is attributed to warnings by senior military
officials that the Gaza pullout will be followed by a new wave of
Palestinian terror.
As one man on the street, Ilan Zovuler, told VOA.
"What's going to happen after we pull out from Gaza? They're not going
to be shooting rockets into Ashkelon? Of course they're going to," he
said.
Ashkelon is the closest Israeli city to Gaza.
But British
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who met with Palestinian leaders in the West
Bank, said the Gaza pullout is good for peace.
"It's in everybody's interest for this withdrawal to take place and be
successful," he said.
Mr. Straw said Prime Minister Sharon would have a lot more room to
maneuver if there's an end to Palestinian terror. |