Israeli Officials Want to Hasten Pullout

[Behind the Aegis]

JERUSALEM (AP) - A top army general and Israel's vice premier said Monday that next month's evacuation of Gaza's 21 Jewish settlements should be sped up to impede violent resistance.

Maj. Gen. Dan Harel, the Israeli army commander for the Gaza area, said the military is prepared to empty out the settlements in three weeks, if there is no significant resistance or Palestinian fire. Vice Premier Ehud Olmert, who is close to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said a speedup would limit opposition.

Israel's Cabinet is supposed to vote separately to approve each of four stages of the pullout - three in Gaza and one in the West Bank, where four small settlements are to be removed. Sharon agreed to the formula to help overcome misgivings from some Cabinet Ministers from his own Likud party.

Harel, speaking to the parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Defense committee, favored evacuating the settlements with no pauses. His remarks were reported by Israel Radio. Harel refused to speak to reporters after the closed session.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20050725/D8BILBOG0.html

[DemInDistress]

1. What gives?

I hear Israeli's want the USA to pay 3 billion dollars for their move out of Gaza.Then I hear the Israeli's want to blow up all living quarters,stores,and factories.Why destroy homes? Why ask Americans to pay for it? any answers??

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Answers

Israel is requesting money to help with relocation. It still relies on LOANS from the US. The PA is also getting money from the US as well as many other places.

The homes are being destroyed at the request of the PA. They finally made up their minds and decided they wanted to build their own infra-structures. The cost of demolition will be to the Israelis.

[DemInDistress]

3. Thank You

for the answers.It seems a shame destroying viable housing,hey if thats what they want then we americans shouldnt foot the bill..