[yshavurah] Israel's Disengagement Plan

Hi All,
A friend who lives in Miami and is a long-time member of the JCRC sent this to 
me and I thought it was a useful guide.
Take care,
Cheryl
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Greater Miami Jewish 
Federation
Guide to Israel's Disengagement Plan
On August 15, 2005, the Israeli Government will begin the implementation of its 
Disengagement Plan from Gaza and northern Samaria. The Disengagement is a 
painful and risky sacrifice for the Israeli people, but stands as proof of 
Israel's determination and commitment to do what is necessary to achieve a 
lasting and secure peace.  The JCRC offers this Guide to assist you in 
interpreting the Disengagement.

The Human Cost of Disengagement


Against the background of more than four years of terrorist bloodshed, Israel 
has initiated its Disengagement Plan in the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria, 
both to enhance its security and to put the peace process with the Palestinians 
back in motion. In the short term, it is the settlers who are paying the 
greatest part of the price for peace.

What are the historical origins of the current situation?

Israel's victory in the 1967 Six Day war brought the West Bank and Gaza Strip 
under Israel's administration. This was a self-defensive war in which Israel 
responded to war provocations by five neighboring Arab states.  

What are the key provisions of the disengagement plan, and when will it begin?

Disengagement is planned to begin between Aug. 15 and 17 and is expected to 
take about a month.  Israel will withdraw from the Gaza Strip (21 settlements) 
and from four settlements in the northern West Bank, removing both the military 
and civilian presence in both areas. 
Israel will work, together with the international community, to facilitate 
Palestinian economic activity.  This will be done by transferring existing 
economic infrastructure to the Palestinians and coordinating joint economic 
ventures.  Israel will continue to build the security barrier so that Israel 
can continue to provide security to its citizens while minimizing its 
interference in Palestinian affairs.  
Israel has passed legislation regarding relocation and compensation for 
settlers. Although plans are not yet final, it seems that replacement housing 
will be built on the seacoast north of Gaza. 


How many Israelis are living in the areas affected by disengagement?



Between 8,000-9,000 Jews live in Gaza. A few hundred live in the 4 small 
settlements due to be evacuated in the West Bank.

Why has the Israeli government decided on disengagement?



The disengagement initiative was conceived during a period where Yassir Arafat 
presided over the Palestinian Authority and proved not to be partner in seeking 
peace. In order to break the violent stalemate, Israel decided to initiate 
moves independent of Palestinian cooperation. Voluntary disengagement was seen 
by Israel as an act that would lead to a better security, political, economic 
and demographic situation.


What is the state of public opinion in Israel regarding disengagement?

Supporters of disengagement stress that although they feel pain at this 
difficult decision and understand that there are risks involved, they believe 
that these are risks that must be taken in the pursuit of peace and to preserve 
the democratic nature of the nation. A June public opinion poll by the Harry 
Truman Institute of Hebrew University showed that although Israeli support for 
the disengagement plan has declined, 53% of Israelis still support the 
disengagement plan and 39% oppose it. July public opinion polls range from 53% 
in favor (Kol Yisrael poll) to 62% (Yediot Achranot poll).  A clear majority of 
Israelis are in support of disengagement.  

Some opponents of the plan base their position on the belief that disengagement 
will lead to intolerable security risks. After all, the central tenet of the 
Israeli negotiating position has been to trade land in return for security 
assurances.  The risk in disengagement, they claim, is that Israel transfers 
land to the Palestinians but receives no security guarantees in return.  In 
addition, many families have worked their entire lives to establish businesses, 
schools and synagogues in their communities and their dead are buried in 
cemeteries there. They argue that three generations of Israelis were encouraged 
to settle in Gaza by the Israeli government for strategic reasons that they 
still believe are valid.  Some of the settlers came for ideological and 
religious reasons as they believe that Gaza and the West Bank are integral 
parts of the state of Israel.

What plans have been made for moving settlers from their homes? 

IDF soldiers will be used to enforce security. Police, with some assistance 
from the army troops, will actually remove the settlers from their homes. 
Because no military vehicle is to be involved in the removal of the settlers' 
possessions, the Defense Ministry will contract for hundreds of civilian 
cranes, tractor-trailers, and heavy bulldozers.  IDF Rabbinate members will 
accompany the police, in order to remove mezuzot (prayer scrolls) from all of 
the doorposts of the emptied buildings and to supervise the reburial of those 
buried in Gaza cemeteries.

Is it true that the existing homes will be torn down? 

The Palestinian Authority leadership has requested that Israel demolish the 
homes evacuated by settlers so that more appropriate multi-family housing can 
be built for Gazan residents. 

What will the response be to violent protest on the part of settlers or their 
supporters?

While recognizing the anguish that may motivate protestors, the Israeli 
government has made clear that it will not allow violence as a response to 
policies undertaken by the democratically elected Israeli government. To enable 
the disengagement to be implemented smoothly, the Gaza strip was made "out of 
bounds" for non-residents in mid-July.

Does leaving Gaza set a precedent for future Israeli withdrawal from all of the 
West Bank? 

The Israeli government position is that, in contrast to the areas involved in 
the present disengagement, there are areas in the West Bank that will remain a 
permanent part of the State of Israel, including cities, towns and villages, 
security areas and installations.  An estimated 80 percent of the settlements 
in the West Bank are, in effect, suburbs of major Israeli cities such as 
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. These are areas that an overwhelming majority of 
Israelis believe Israel must retain to ensure its security, a position endorsed 
by the Bush and Clinton administrations.

Does the withdrawal from Gaza reward the terrorists and invite more terrorism?

Of the hundreds suicide bombers that infiltrated into Israel during the past 
four years, only a few came from Gaza. Terrorist groups such as Hamas and 
Islamic Jihad never made Gaza disengagement an objective and therefore cannot 
claim any victory.  In fact, those terrorist groups that reject a 'two state' 
solution saw the continued presence of Israelis in Gaza as a step in the 
direction of what they desired, a 'one state' solution.

How will the Israeli government respond if there are increased terrorist 
actions as disengagement draws near?

Israel, like any state, has an obligation to defend its citizens, and will not 
tolerate a campaign of terrorism waged against its people. As it has recently 
shown, in the absence of effective actions on the part of the PA to stop the 
mortar and rocket fire on Israeli communities, Israel will take the initiative 
and will do whatever is necessary to stem the rocket fire.  Israel will not, 
however, allow the terrorist organizations to determine the fate of the 
disengagement initiative. 

What will be the Security Situation Following the Relocation?

The Gaza Strip:

The government has made clear that "the State of Israel will guard and monitor 
the external land perimeter of the Gaza Strip, will continue to maintain 
exclusive authority in Gaza air space, and will continue to exercise security 
activity in the sea off the coast of the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip will be 
demilitarized and Israel reserves its fundamental right of self-defense, both 
preventive and reactive, including where necessary the use of force, in 
response to threats from the Gaza Strip".  It should be noted that plans for 
the construction of a Gaza seaport have been approved and will be implemented 
after disengagement. Furthermore, Israel has reached an agreement with Egypt 
whereby Egypt will deploy 750 border security personnel along the Egyptian-Gaza 
border.  

The West Bank:

After evacuation from the four settlements, no Israeli military presence will 
remain in the area. However, Israel reserves its fundamental right of 
self-defense, both preventive and reactive, including, where necessary, the use 
of force, in respect of threats from the evacuated area.


What is Israel's expectation of the Palestinian Authority?



Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas must take advantage of this 
opening for peace by implementing his presidential campaign mantra of "one 
authority, one law, one gun."  Under his leadership, the PA must disarm the 
terrorist groups and infrastructure. 
Abbas must remain committed to continuing political reform of the Palestinian 
Authority to assure a transparent governing democracy in Palestinian-controlled 
territories.  
There must be a serious commitment on the part of the PA to end incitement to 
violence, hatred and anti-Semitism in its media, mosques and schools.  

The Israeli government has stated that if and when there is evidence from the 
Palestinian side of its "willingness, capability and implementation in practice 
of the fight against terrorism, full cessation of terrorism and violence and 
reform as required by the Road Map, it will be possible to return to the track 
of negotiation and dialogue".



What is the expectation of neighboring Arab states?



Israel's peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan have remained intact, even 
after the violence caused by the Intifada. Strategically, Egypt and Jordan are 
leaders in the Arab world and Israel's allies in helping to work for peace with 
the Palestinians. These states can help improve security, local economies and 
help to prevent instability in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Egyptian and 
Jordanian support in these areas can help improve the climate between Israel 
and the Palestinians after the disengagement. Additionally, Israel's peace with 
these states assures that no hostile Arab coalition can challenge Israel's 
security

What has been the response of the United States government to disengagement?

In a letter from President Bush to Prime Minister Sharon dated April 14, 2005, 
President Bush stated:  "We welcome the disengagement plan you have prepared... 
These steps described in the plan will mark real progress toward realizing my 
June 24, 2002 vision, and make a real contribution towards peace..."

What has been the response of the American public?

A July 11, 2005 Anti-Defamation League survey reveals that the American people 
continue to stand solidly behind Israel in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and 
overwhelmingly view Israel's disengagement plan as a "bold step towards peace." 
 

What is the role of the United States in building on disengagement in order to 
achieve a comprehensive and durable peace?

The United States has reaffirmed that it is strongly committed to Israel's 
security and well-being as a Jewish state and it will work across the region to 
achieve an end to hate and to the rejection of Israel's right to exist. 
President Bush has stated that "the United States will lead efforts, working 
together with Jordan, Egypt, and others in the international community, to 
build the capacity and will of Palestinian institutions to fight terrorism, 
dismantle terrorist organizations, and prevent the areas from which Israel has 
withdrawn from posing a threat that would have to be addressed by any other 
means."  The U.S. has also undertaken to support democracy, security, economic 
empowerment, non-proliferation, stability and reform in the Palestinian 
territories. 


Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice has already made three visits to Jerusalem 
and Ramallah since she became secretary of state in February, proving the U.S. 
commitment to Israel's disengagement and interest that it is implemented.  
President Bush appointed Lt. Gen. William Ward to help oversee the reform of 
the Palestinian security services.  
The U.S. Congress approved $350 million in aid to the Palestinians, both the PA 
and the Palestinian people, to help rebuild Gaza after Israel's disengagement. 
The U.S. and Israel are currently in negotiation for allocating aid to Israel 
to assist in the development of the Negev and Galilee regions-two areas inside 
Israel's pre-1967 border.

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