Haaretz comments: „The amended disengagement plan” …
The Jerusalem Post writes: „The cabinet decision marks …
Yediot Aharonot asserts that, With the cabinets disengagement decision, Ariel Sharon …
Yediot Aharonot, in its third editorial, says that,…
Hatzofeh comments on Foreign Minister Silvan Shaloms talks in Egypt …
Haaretz comments: „The amended disengagement plan” approved Sunday by the government deserves support despite the acrobatic twists and turns it took. The condition imposed by opponents to the plan is that evacuation of settlements will be preceded by a debate and further voting. Formally, the government decision does not include evacuation: „Immediately after the preparatory work, there will be a debate… that takes into consideration the circumstances at the time, to determine if, and which, settlements will be evacuated.” But in effect, the decision contains the important and explicit commitment from which no retreat is possible: Any government will find it difficult to turn its back on a plan that over the course of debate won broad public support, including among Likud voters, while also enjoying American support… The government’s decision has far-reaching implications, but the significance will be lost if the government continues to water down the decision. After taking the first positive step on the plan’s crooked political path, the Sharon government must now take the next steps – without any delays and with a sincere effort. If Sharon fails this national test in the coming weeks due to a lack of determination or deliberate delays, he won’t be forgiven.”
The Jerusalem Post writes: „The cabinet decision marks a paradigm shift on the scale of Oslo, setting out in a similar direction, but by a substantially different path… The disengagement plan, like Oslo, is dedicated to creating a Palestinian state. In effect, it is attempting to do this against the will of the Palestinians. Ariel Sharon, as a result, has become a more effective and dedicated proponent of Palestinian statehood than Yasser Arafat… It behooves the international community, which has long insisted that Israel takes steps like those just approved, to demonstrate to the people of Israel that their risks and pain are recognized, and that the Palestinians will be asked to meet their own international responsibilities.”
Yediot Aharonot asserts that, With the cabinets disengagement decision, Ariel Sharon has crossed the point of no-return. The editors believe that a principle has been established and that the final settlement with the Palestinians will inevitably be similar to, that of the Clinton outline from the study of Ehud Barak, with Israels final borders, being based, for good or bad, on the 1967-plus borders.
Yediot Aharonot, in its third editorial, says that, If nothing out of the ordinary happens in the coming months, the cabinets decision from Sunday is the death-knell for the communities in the Gaza Strip, for Gush Katif. The editors commend the motives of the Jews who settled in Gush Katif and note that successive governments supported their presence there. The editors admit that, The sight of people packing suitcases, saying good-bye to the eucalyptus and the olive trees is difficult to bear; cold and torn hothouses bring tears to the eyes, but suggest that, There is only one sight more difficult than all of these – that of parents burying their children because some government ministers, a generation ago, were struck with haughtiness.
Hatzofeh comments on Foreign Minister Silvan Shaloms talks in Egypt yesterday and a possible Egyptian role in helping to secure the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and oversee the Palestinian Authority security forces following the projected Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The editors declare that, Up until now, the border has been porous, with, terrorists moving across it almost freely, and caution that, One shouldnt pin great hopes on the results of Foreign Minister Silvan Shaloms visit to Cairo.
Yediot Aharonot, in its second editorial, lauds – recently dismissed – ex-Transportation Minister Avigdor Liebermans abilities as an energetic planner, administrator and doer. However, the editors believe that, All these good qualities do not help him, of course, when he opens his mouth.
