0
AL QUDS, April 18: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon confirmed on Monday that he was postponing the start of Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, scheduled for July 20, by three weeks on religious grounds. “We need to do everything to make the evacuation easier and to allow settlers to overcome the crisis of disengagement. These, effectively, are to be difficult days in the history of the Jewish people,” he told reporters.
Mr Sharon was referring to the need to allow the settlers mourn the destruction of the second Jewish Temple. The day to commemorate the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem in 70AD falls this year on Aug 14.
The three-week postponement means that the month-long operation should now get underway on Aug 15.
US IRKED: Meanwhile, the United States on Monday intensified pressure on Israel to stop expanding settlements as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon postponed its pullout from the Gaza Strip.
The new expressions of concern from Israel’s chief ally came after the Israel Lands Authority said tenders had been invited for construction work to build 50 new homes at the religious settlement of Elkana in the northern West Bank.
The announcement of the new homes came just days after US President George W. Bush warned Sharon against any expansion of settlements and was swiftly followed by an agitated response from Washington.
“Israel should not expand settlements,” said White House spokesman Scott McClellan of the planned construction work at Elkana. “We will be seeking clarification from the government of Israel.”
He recalled that the internationally drafted roadmap peace plan launched in 2003 required Israel to halt settlement expansion.
“The roadmap has obligations for both parties. Israel should not be expanding settlements, and the Palestinian leaders need to act to dismantle terrorist organizations.”
The move was also denounced by the Palestinians as well as the Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now. —Agencies
