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| Israel-Palestine |
| IDF to settlers: Do not create difficulties for soldiers during pullout |
| 2005-06-26 |
| Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on called on settlers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip not to create difficulties for security forces during the pullout, Israel Radio reported. Appealing to settlers while speaking in Tel Aviv, Mofaz said: "Do not make things more difficult for Israel Defense Forces soldiers. Do not make things more difficult for Israel Police officers. There is a 'day after' the disengagement and we want to continue to live together. We want to continue to preserve the unity of the State of Israel." Mofaz also backed up similar earlier statements by defense officials and reiterated that if the Palestinians open fire during the pullout, the IDF will respond harshly. "This is a difficult process, a painful process. It needs to be carried out sensitively and with respect," Mofaz said. "But everyone who interferes with our operations - and I mean the Palestinian terrorists - we will not let it pass. As we have struck hard at Palestinian terror in the past, so we will do if the terror organizations attempt to interfere during the pullout process." Mofaz accused the Palestinian Authority of not doing enough to restrain Islamic Jihad activities. The defense minister said Israel wants to carry out the pullout in coordination with the PA, but said the disengagement will be implemented even if this coordination cannot be secured. |
| Posted by:Steve White |