The Israeli Disengagement Plan:

A Prejudicial Action

Yesterday, Israel started to evacuate its colonies from the Occupied Gaza Strip. On the other hand, Palestinians are preparing to reclaim their land. Disengagement is being hailed as an historic breakthrough. But while the evacuation of Israeli settlers and soldiers from any part of the occupied territories is a welcome development, it represents only an initial step towards ending occupation. In fact, the stranglehold that Israel maintains over Gaza and the West Bank may only be strengthened after disengagement.

In April of 2004, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon introduced a Disengagement Plan for withdrawing Jewish Settlers and the IDF from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the north of the West Bank. Disengagement Plan was rejected by 60% of the Likud Party, although with only a 52% turnout for the vote. Despite the lack of confidence from his own party Sharon has sought, and won, the support of both his cabinet and the Knesset.

Disengagement and a withdrawal form the occupied Gaza Strip and West Bank should be positive steps and moments in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, but it must be achieved in the proper manner. Ultimately this process will only be successful if both sides to the party are involved and accept the final decisions, not only at the political level, but throughout all stratums of society.

This press release precedes the publication of a new report, “The Israeli Disengagement Plan: A Prejudicial Action,” which is published for this month and available at PHRMG website.

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The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group (PHRMG) is a Palestinian, independent, non-governmental organization working to end human rights violations committed against Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, regardless of those responsible.  The members of the Monitoring Group believe that the strength of democracy and civil society in Palestinian society will be determined by the Palestinian people, through their defense or neglect of human rights.

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