Sharon did nothing to evacuate illegal outposts

[bemildred]

Some interesting bits ...

Former prime minister Ariel Sharon stalled the evacuation of illegal
outposts in the West Bank, while defense minister Shaul Mofaz did nothing
without his approval, a former top aide to Mofaz told Haaretz this week.

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"Mofaz never initiated anything," Shechner said, in his first interview
since resigning. "When we wanted to get anything done in the settlements
and outposts, we went to Sharon's aides. The ongoing decision not to
evacuate outposts was made by Sharon, not Mofaz. The only evacuations that took place resulted from the intervention of the High Court of Justice."

Shechner said that when he first entered office, the Defense Ministry
prepared a detailed plan to complete the planning and authorization of 63
outposts. "But the political leadership opted to do nothing. It was
official policy just to leave matters undefined," he said.

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Shechner said that the defense minister had to approve every construction
plan in the West Bank no less than eight times before it was authorized.
"Small things Mofaz authorized himself, but significant plans he always
submitted to Sharon. He never signed without Sharon's approval. Sharon's
support for the outposts was reflected, during the time I worked there, in doing nothing. This prevented evacuation, but did not advance construction or development."

Haaretz

[Ian David]

1. Why didn't Mayor Nagin send the busses? n/t

[winter999]

2. Israel ain't chocolate.