Israeli ministers react to indecision on whether to delay Gaza withdrawal

(19 Apr 2005) 1. Wide shot of building where Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office is 2. Protester holding sign reading: "Sharon enemy of Israel" 3. Ophir Pines-Paz, Minister of Internal Affairs, walking across the road 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ophir Pines-Paz, Israeli Minister of Internal Affairs: "We are with the formal dates, the end of July. That is the present situation. There is a possibility that we will consider, but for the time being this is the timetable and nothing has changed." 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Isaac Herzog, Israeli Minister of Housing: "The ministries will be ready on time. Many good decisions were taken today. You have to remember that the law enables all families to take the compensation and do whatever they deem fit with it. We are going beyond the law, offering new incentives." 6. Hertzog getting into car 7. Pull out of to prime minister's office STORYLINE: Israeli Cabinet ministers began deliberating on Tuesday about whether to delay the Gaza Strip withdrawal. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon convened the meeting in Jerusalem after hinting he would favour a three-week delay in the operation out of respect for a Jewish mourning period that ends on August 14. The proposal would put back the withdrawal from late July to August 15, allowing Jews to observe the three-week mourning period for the destruction of the biblical Jewish Temples. Many of the 9,000 settlers who are to leave Gaza and four northern West Bank settlements observe this ritual. The move would give the government more time to restructure its plans, but also cast doubt on its resolve to carry out the pull-out. The Israeli Cabinet is divided between those who oppose any delay and ministers who believe that the disengagement plan should be delayed, even as long as September-October 2005. Critics complained that any postponement would eventually scuttle the evacuation, which polls say is overwhelmingly supported by the Israeli public, but is vigorously opposed by the powerful settlers movement and some prominent right-wing politicians. Ophir Pines-Paz, Israeli Minister of Internal Affairs, said nothing had changed, while Isaac Herzog, the Israeli Minister of Housing, said "many good decisions were taken" at the cabinet meeting. In an abrupt turnabout on Monday, Sharon said he was "favourably disposed" toward a delay. Sharon had steadfastly objected to withdrawal opponents' demand for a national referendum on the issue, claiming it was a stalling tactic. There are still fierce debates within the Cabinet over where settlers will be relocated. With just three months to go, the construction of infrastructure and temporary housing hasn't yet begun. Alternative employment for uprooted settlers hasn't been arranged and the government is still negotiating how much compensation to award them. Settlers have largely refused to cooperate with the planners, adding to the disarray. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...