In interviews with the electronic media that he gave in
connection with Independence Day, Prime Minister Sharon said
that the disengagement from Gaza will be pushed back three
weeks from its original schedule right before 17 Tammuz, to
right after Tisha B'Av. He also made it clear that he intends
to seek another term as prime minister of Israel, despite his
current age (77).
Sharon said that he had decided to respond positively to a
request from Yonatan Bassi, head of the Disengagement
Administration, not to carry out the evacuation during the
three-week mourning period between the 17th of Tammuz (July
24) and the 9th of Av (August 14), known as "The Three
Weeks." Sharon refused to give an exact date.
Sharon said that Israeli control over all of the territories
could not be realized today, but that in his vision the large
settlement blocs will be territorially connected to Israel
and have a much larger population than they have today.
The prime minister said that final border arrangements with
the Palestinians would be ironed out in the final stage of
the road map.
The prime minister also said that he was determined to run
for a third term in the next elections. He said, "It is
important today for the country to be headed by individuals
with proven capabilities."
The prime minister also said that after the disengagement, "I
intend to deal a lot more with the economic issues and social
welfare issues. These are matters of much importance —
there is much distress — and I am sure that the Finance
Minister will deal with them too."
Sharon declined to voice an opinion on the fate of the
evacuated settlers' homes, noting only that a decision on the
matter would be made in good time.
Sharon reiterated that there will not be a second
disengagement, saying that the allegation by Knesset Speaker
Reuven Rivlin that his actions were leading to the division
of Jerusalem was a lie that has no foundation.
The prime minister said repeatedly that after the pullout,
the path to negotiations based on the road map peace plan
would be open, provided that the Palestinians fulfilled their
obligations.
Sharon also criticized PA leader Abbas for not fulfilling his
obligations vis-a-vis terror so far, and said that Abbas had
erred in the agreement he had reached with Hamas. Sharon did
not say when he would meet with Abbas.
Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom said that if Hamas were to win
the elections, there would be "no logic" in handing over more
territory to the Palestinians, and no logic in facilitating
the establishment of what he called "Hamastan."
"I think the Palestinian Authority should do everything
possible to prevent Hamas running for election unless it
dismantles its military wing," Shalom said. "We must all
reject the inclusion of Hamas in the Palestinian political
system. There is no place, nor can there ever be, in a
democratic society for a political party which bears
arms."
Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres also said, "Hamas is against
peace. Not only are they against peace, but they also have
rifles. You can't negotiate with rifles. Either the two sides
are coming armed or disarmed. You can't negotiate with a
group that is still armed."
However Sharon said that the disengagement plan will be
implemented regardless of Hamas's showing in the upcoming
Palestinian Legislative Council elections. He seems to have a
slightly different idea than everyone else.
"The decision to disengage is an Israeli decision designed to
improve Israel's situation," he said.
This attitude was echoed in the Prime Minister's Office,
where on senior official said that regardless of
disengagement, Israel would continue to fight Hamas —
whether inside or outside the Palestinian government —
if it didn't disarm. However this has nothing to do with
disengagement.
"Disengagement is a unilateral act, and has nothing to do
with how Hamas does in the elections," he said. "We want to
coordinate it with the PA, but if Hamas is in the government
then we will disengage unilaterally. But there is no doubt we
will continue with the original plan."
The official said the plan was intended to give Israel new
defensive lines, and to give the Palestinians the opportunity
to restart the political process.
He warned that once Israel began to pull out of Gaza,
Israel's response to terror during or after disengagement
"will be harsher than any response before."
