PM consider delaying Israel withdrawal from Gaza Strip

After government officials confirmed Israel plans to build 50 new homes in a West Bank settlement, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is considering delaying Israel’s planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip this summer by three weeks, out of respect for a Jewish mourning period that marks the destruction of the biblical temples.

Sharon told reporters he would discuss the possible delay in the Gaza pullout, which is currently scheduled to begin in late July, at a meeting with top ministers Tuesday.

Sharon previously turned down military and governmental request to delay the disengagement for logistical and planning reasons, fearing any postponement might give ultranationalists more time to block the pullout.

“We have to take every step to make it easier for the settlers,” Sharon said. “These are difficult days today.”

Tisha B’av is Aug. 14 this year. In the 20 days before Tisha B’Av, observant Jews do not shave, go to the beach, cut their hair, listen to music or get married, and many refrain from eating meat. Tisha B’Av itself is a fast day.

A standard Jewish law compilation does not contain rules that forbid anything connected to the pullout because of the mourning period, though some feel moving house is contrary to its spirit.

Although military officials have said they are well prepared for the pullout, other aspects of the operation have been beset by confusion and red tape.

The government has yet to begin building temporary housing for the settlers slated for evacuation or determine where they will live, and only last week began paying compensation to displaced settlers.

The Palestinians have welcomed the planned Israeli pullout from areas they claim for an independent state but want assurances that Sharon will resume peace talks after the withdrawal is complete. The Palestinians claim all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip for an independent state.

Israel will pull out forces and settlers from all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four out of 120 in northern West Bank, a process starting from July 20.

The plan has already drawn strong opposition from extremist Jewish groups, which said the move might be seen as capitulation to Palestinian attacks.

Israel also announced plans to build 50 new homes in a West Bank settlement, a week after President Bush called on Sharon not to expand settlements in a rare public airing of differences between the two close allies
“Sharon would really prefer to get the disengagement over with,” a confidant said. But he added that Sharon might agree to a delay if settler leaders promised to go quietly, though he would likely also insist on shortening the evacuation timetable.