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Israeli cabinet approves relocation plan for Gaza settlers
JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Ariel Sharonâs cabinet approved plans on Sunday for the relocation of thousands of settlers from the Gaza Strip to form their own new municipality in a coastal area of southern Israel. The plan, which was passed by 14 votes to two, means that the Nitzanim area will become an independent local council as long as more than 5,000 settlers move there after this summerâs pullout from Gaza.The government has already begun setting up scores of mobile homes in the Nitzanim area, which lies close to sand dunes that are classified as an area of natural beauty. However less than 5,000 of the 8,000 Gaza settlers have so far agreed to move, many still reluctant to be seen negotiating with the government and thus legitimising the pullout plan. The relocation plan also fixes a cost for the land which the settlers receive. In turn, the cost will be deducted from the compensation payments they are to receive from the state for leaving Gaza. Posted by: Steve White 2005-06-27 |
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