Israel’s Disengagement Plan provides NIS 3.8 billion ($884 million) to pay for the relocation of some 9,000 Jewish residents, from 21 civilian Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip and from four civilian Israeli settlements in the northern West Bank, and to compensate them for the loss of their homes and livelihoods.
The Plan was introduced in December 2003 by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. On February 16, 2005 the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) passed the final version of the Disengagement Plan Implementation Law and on February 20, 2005 the Israeli cabinet voted to implement it.
The Disengagement Law has led to heated debates and public demonstrations in Israel. There is even concern about the possibility of violence between Israelis when the Law is implemented.
The Plan was introduced in December 2003 by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. On February 16, 2005 the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) passed the final version of the Disengagement Plan Implementation Law and on February 20, 2005 the Israeli cabinet voted to implement it.
The Disengagement Law has led to heated debates and public demonstrations in Israel. There is even concern about the possibility of violence between Israelis when the Law is implemented.
Background
In the 1967, Israel was forced to wage the Six Day War in self-defense. In that war, Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) and the Gaza Strip came under Israel’s administration.
The disputed territories were held not as the object of conquest, but to be part of eventual negotiations for lasting peace. Although Israel has historic ties, security needs and other vital interests that are directly connected to these disputed territories, it was never Israel’s intention to rule over a large Palestinian population.
In 2003, when the Disengagement Plan was introduced, 1.3 million Palestinians and 7,500 Jews lived in Gaza. The Disengagement Plan was also introduced at a time when the Middle East Peace Process was at a stalemate, following years of terrorist bloodshed and great suffering by both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Disengagement Plan, according to Sharon, was designed to improve Israel's security and international status, in the absence of political negotiations to end the conflict.
The disputed territories were held not as the object of conquest, but to be part of eventual negotiations for lasting peace. Although Israel has historic ties, security needs and other vital interests that are directly connected to these disputed territories, it was never Israel’s intention to rule over a large Palestinian population.
In 2003, when the Disengagement Plan was introduced, 1.3 million Palestinians and 7,500 Jews lived in Gaza. The Disengagement Plan was also introduced at a time when the Middle East Peace Process was at a stalemate, following years of terrorist bloodshed and great suffering by both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Disengagement Plan, according to Sharon, was designed to improve Israel's security and international status, in the absence of political negotiations to end the conflict.
