Misplaced Pages

#616383

56-649: In 2005, 21 Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip and four Israeli settlements in the West Bank were unilaterally dismantled. Israeli settlers and army evacuated from inside the Gaza Strip , redeploying its military along the border. The disengagement was conducted unilaterally by Israel; in particular, Israel rejected any coordination or orderly hand-over to the Palestinian Authority . Despite

112-720: A 'buffer zone' there (Art 6). However, Israel later decided to leave the border area, which is now controlled by Egypt and the Palestinians, through the PNA . Israel will continue to control Gaza's coastline and airspace and reserves the right to undertake military operations when necessary. (Art 3.1). Egypt will control Gaza's Egyptian border. Israel will continue to provide Gaza with water, communication, electricity, and sewage networks. The agreements brokered, according to Condoleezza Rice , proposed that Palestinians have control over exits and entrances, trucks and buses move between Gaza and

168-482: A Gaza checkpoint, and in Neve Dekalim , a group of fifteen American Orthodox Jews barricaded themselves in a basement and threatened to light themselves on fire. Kfar Darom was next evacuated. Residents and their supporters strung up barbed wire fences around the area, and security forces cut their way in. Some 300 settlers barricaded themselves in the local synagogue, while another group barricaded themselves on

224-469: A Palestinian state. Additionally, demographic concerns played a role. According to Shlaim, the higher Palestinian birth rate posed a "demographic time bomb," threatening the Jewish majority in areas claimed by Israel. By withdrawing from Gaza, Israel effectively removed 1.4 million Palestinians from its demographic considerations. Shlaim writes that although Sharon stated the move was a contribution to peace, it

280-663: A deal with the Labor Party to form a coalition, with Shimon Peres becoming Vice Premier , restoring the government's majority in the Knesset. On February 16, 2005, the Knesset finalized and approved the plan with 59 in favor, 40 opposed, 5 abstaining. A proposed amendment to submit the plan to a referendum was rejected, 29–72. On March 17, the Southern Command of the Israel Defense Forces issued

336-519: A fight against occupation to a fight for "one-man-one-vote". However, according to Olmert, for Israelis, it would signify the end of the Jewish state. The parameters of a unilateral solution as described by Olmert would be to maximize the Jewish population, minimize the Palestinian population, avoid withdrawing to the 1967 border, and not divide Jerusalem. He recalled that Moshe Dayan had proposed unilateral autonomy 23 years ago. Similarly, he expressed

392-952: A foundation. Meanwhile, on August 14, Aryeh Yitzhaki  [ he ] proclaimed the independence of Shirat HaYam as "The Independent Jewish Authority in Gaza Beach", and submitted appeals for recognition to the United Nations and Red Cross . On August 15, the evacuation commenced under the orders of Maj. Gen. Dan Harel of the Southern Command . At 8 a.m., a convoy of security forces entered Neve Dekalim and began evacuating residents. Many settlers chose to leave peacefully, others were forcibly evicted, and some attempted to block buses and clashed with security forces. The evacuations of six settlements then commenced as 14,000 Israeli soldiers and police officers forcibly evicted settlers and "mistanenim" (infiltrators). They went house to house, ordering settlers to leave and breaking down

448-546: A huge base for terror. On August 15, Sharon said that, while he had hoped Israel could keep the Gaza settlements forever, reality simply intervened. "It is out of strength and not weakness that we are taking this step", repeating his argument that the disengagement plan has given Israel the diplomatic initiative. On August 31, the Knesset voted to withdraw from the Gaza–Egypt border and allow Egyptian deployment of border police along

504-413: A military order prohibiting Israeli citizens not living in the Gaza Strip settlements from taking up residence there. On March 28, the Knesset again rejected a bill to delay the implementation of the disengagement plan by a vote of 72 to 39. The bill was introduced by a group of Likud MKs who wanted to force a referendum on the issue. On August 7, Netanyahu resigned just before the cabinet ratification of

560-480: A million Palestinians live there and double their number with each generation." At the same time, Shimon Peres , then Vice Prime Minister , stated in an interview that: "We are disengaging from Gaza because of demography". Continued control of Gaza was considered to pose an impossible dilemma with respect to Israel's ability to be a Jewish and democratic state in all the territories it controls. Failing to gain public support from senior ministers, Sharon agreed that

616-503: A national referendum on the plan within fourteen days. On November 9, Netanyahu withdrew his resignation threat, saying "In this new situation [the death of Yasser Arafat ], I decided to stay in the government". Following the vote fourteen days earlier, and Sharon's subsequent refusal to budge on the referendum issue, the three other cabinet ministers from the Likud party backed down from their threat within days. On December 30, Sharon made

SECTION 10

#1732779489617

672-595: A national referendum to prove that he had a mandate, which he refused to do. On September 14, the Israeli cabinet approved, by a 9–1 majority, plans to compensate settlers who left the Gaza Strip, with only the NRP's Zevulun Orlev opposing. The government's plan for compensation used a formula that based actual amounts on location, house size, and number of family members among other factors. Most families were expected to receive between US$ 200,000 and 300,000. On October 11, at

728-584: A political settlement with the Palestinians. The disengagement plan was implemented in August 2005 and completed in September 2005. Israeli security forces, over a period of several days, evicted settlers who refused to accept government compensation packages and voluntarily vacate their homes prior to the August 15, 2005 deadline. The eviction of all Israeli residents, demolition of the Israeli residential buildings and evacuation of associated security personnel from

784-766: Is absolutely required—for example, in the context of international trade policies— bilateral agreements (involving two participants at a time) are usually preferred by proponents of unilateralism. Unilateralism may be preferred in those instances when it is assumed to be the most efficient, i.e., in issues that can be solved without cooperation. However, a government may also have a principal preference for unilateralism or multilateralism, and, for instance, strive to avoid policies that cannot be realized unilaterally or alternatively to champion multilateral solutions to problems that could well have been solved unilaterally. Unilateralism as first course of action can be viewed as an act of aggression or hard power, unilateral sanctions violate

840-548: Is the fate of Tel Aviv." Many on both sides remained skeptical of his will to withdraw beyond Gaza and the northern West Bank. Sharon had a majority for the plan in the government but not within his party. This forced him to seek a National Unity government, which was established in January 2005. Opponents of the plan, and some ministers, such as Benjamin Netanyahu and former minister Natan Sharansky , called on Sharon to hold

896-553: The Likud party would hold a referendum on the plan in advance of a vote by the Israeli Cabinet . The referendum was held on May 2, 2004, and ended with 65% of the voters against the disengagement plan, despite some polls showing approximately 55% of Likud members supporting the plan before the referendum. Commentators and the press described the rejection of the plan as a blow to Sharon. Sharon himself announced that he accepted

952-632: The National Union ministers and cabinet members Avigdor Liberman and Binyamin Elon were dismissed from the cabinet, and a compromise offer by Likud's cabinet member Tzipi Livni was achieved. Following the approval of the plan, it was decided to close the Erez industrial zone and move its factories to cities and towns in Israel such as Ashkelon , Dimona , Yeruham , and Sderot . Ehud Olmert , then

1008-483: The Palestinian Authority . The Second Intifada broke out, and peace process negotiations halted. Historian Avi Shlaim writes that persistent attacks by Hamas on Israeli settlers and soldiers increased the costs of maintaining a presence in Gaza, making it unsustainable. Shlaim says that the withdrawal aimed to undermine the Oslo peace process by freezing the political process and indefinitely delaying discussions about

1064-736: The Gaza Strip during the Six Day War , capturing it from Egypt along with the Sinai peninsula. In 1970, the first Israeli settlement was built. In 1993, as part of the Oslo Accords , the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel agreed to an outline for Palestinians to self-govern in the Palestinian territories . In 1994, Israel withdrew from Gaza City and Jericho , giving civilian and city functions to

1120-490: The Gaza Strip to still be under military occupation by Israel . The International Court of Justice (ICJ) reaffirmed this position on the basis of Israel's continued control of the Gaza Strip. The 2024 ICJ advisory opinion, Article 42 of the Hague Relations and precedent in international law maintain that a territory remains occupied so long as an army could reestablish physical control at any time. Israel occupied

1176-400: The Gaza Strip was completed by September 12, 2005. The eviction and dismantlement of the four settlements in the northern West Bank was completed ten days later. Over 8,000 Jewish settlers from the 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip were relocated. Palestinians celebrated amid skepticism that the withdrawal would take place. Israeli polls on support for the plan during the time showed support for

SECTION 20

#1732779489617

1232-459: The Kissufim crossing was shut down, and the Gaza Strip became officially closed for entrance by Israelis. The evacuation by agreement continued after midnight of the August 17 for settlers who requested a time extension for packing their things. The Gush Katif Municipal Council threatened to unilaterally declare independence, citing the Gaza Strip 's internationally disputed status and Halacha as

1288-473: The Knesset are able to stop this evil. Everything that the Knesset has decided, it is also capable of changing. I am calling on all those who grasp the danger: Gather strength and do the right thing. I don't know if the entire move can be stopped, but it still might be stopped in its initial stages. [Don't] give [the Palestinians] guns, don't give them rockets, don't give them a sea port, and don't give them

1344-407: The Likud referendum results and would take time to consider his steps. He ordered Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz to create an amended plan which Likud voters could accept. On June 6, 2004, Sharon's government approved an amended disengagement plan, but with the reservation that the dismantling of each settlement should be voted separately. The plan was approved with a 14–7 majority but only after

1400-607: The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labor, stated that the closing was part of Israel's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. As a result of the passing of the plan (in principle), two National Religious Party (NRP) ministers, Effi Eitam and Yitzhak Levi , resigned, leaving the government with a minority in the Knesset . Later, the entire faction quit after their calls to hold a national referendum were ignored. Sharon's pushing through this plan alienated many of his supporters on

1456-478: The United Nations Charter and inhibit development of developing countries. Unilateral action is often elected on behalf of independent leaders with nationalist tendencies and a strong distrust for the intentions of other countries' intervention. In recent years, unilateral action is adjacent with nationalism, protectionism and rejection towards institutions that embody multilateral approach. i.e,

1512-609: The United States adopting protectionist trade policy during the mid-2010s against the multilateral interests of the World Trade Organization. Unilateralism, if unprovoked, has the potential to disrupt the peaceful upholding of sovereignty and territorial integrity that global security depends upon. Unilateral coercive measures against smaller states put a strain on goals of sustainable development. Examples include arbitrarily imposed economic sanctions such as

1568-629: The West Bank, Palestinians establish seaport and airport. This plan did not come to pass. Israel and Egypt have concluded an agreement under which Egypt can increase the number of police on its side of the border, while the IDF evacuates the Gazan side. The text of the agreement is not yet public. The estimated cost of Israel's disengagement is around $ 2 billion. Because the Palestinian Authority in Gaza did not believe it had sufficient control of

1624-546: The area at this time, observers such as the Human Rights Watch and legal experts have argued that the disengagement will not end Israel's legal responsibility as an occupying power in Gaza. The disengagement began with Operation "Yad l'Achim" ( Hebrew : מבצע יד לאחים , "Giving brothers a hand"). The aim of the operation was to give the Gush Katif settlers the option to leave voluntarily. IDF soldiers helped

1680-488: The demilitarized Egyptian side of the border, revising the previously stated intent to maintain Israeli control of the border. The Gaza Strip contained 21 civilian Israeli settlements and the area evacuated in the West Bank contained four, as follows: Hermesh and Mevo Dotan in the northwestern West Bank were included in the original disengagement plans, but were dropped from the plans in March. Sharon said that his plan

1736-400: The demographic rationale in a public address on August 15, 2005, the day of the disengagement, as follows: "It is no secret that, like many others, I had believed and hoped we could forever hold onto Netzarim and Kfar Darom . But the changing reality in the country, in the region, and the world, required of me a reassessment and change of positions. We cannot hold on to Gaza forever. More than

Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip - Misplaced Pages Continue

1792-445: The deputy leader to Sharon, who had been subtly suggesting a unilateral approach for a couple of months, elaborated on his evolving policy. He expressed his certainty that the Israeli government would soon need to seriously and decisively address the "demographic issue". He believed this issue would be the primary determinant of the solution they would have to adopt. He observed that an increasing number of Palestinians wanted to move from

1848-441: The disengagement at the beginning of November, and on October 26, the Knesset gave its preliminary approval. On February 16, 2005, the Knesset finalized and approved the plan. In October 2004, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's senior adviser, Dov Weissglass , explained the meaning of Sharon's statement further: The significance of the disengagement plan is the freezing of the peace process, and when you freeze that process, you prevent

1904-667: The disengagement, the Gaza Strip is still considered to be occupied under international law . The disengagement was proposed in 2003 by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon , adopted by the government in June 2004, and approved by the Knesset in February 2005 as the Disengagement Plan Implementation Law . The motivation behind the disengagement was described by Sharon's top aide as a means of isolating Gaza and avoiding international pressure on Israel to reach

1960-531: The doors of those who did not. There were scenes of troops dragging screaming and sobbing families from houses and synagogues, but with less violence than expected. Some of the soldiers were also observed sobbing, and there were instances of soldiers joining settlers in prayer before evicting them. Some settlers lit their homes on fire as they evacuated so as to leave the Palestinians nothing. Settlers blocked roads, lit fires, and pleaded with soldiers to disobey orders. One West Bank settler set herself on fire in front of

2016-416: The establishment of a Palestinian state, and you prevent a discussion on the refugees, the borders and Jerusalem. Effectively, this whole package called the Palestinian state, with all that it entails, has been removed indefinitely from our agenda. And all this with authority and permission. All with a presidential blessing and the ratification of both houses of Congress. That is exactly what happened. You know,

2072-496: The exception of synagogues (due to fears of their potential desecration, which eventually did occur), since it would be more costly and time-consuming. This contrasted with the original plan by the Prime Minister to demolish all vacated buildings. On May 9, the beginning of the evacuation of settlements was officially postponed from July 20 until August 15, so as to not coincide with the Jewish period of The Three Weeks and

2128-458: The fast of Tisha B'Av , traditionally marking grief and destruction. On July 13, Sharon signed the closure order of Gush Katif, making the area a closed military zone. From that point on, only residents who presented Israeli ID cards with their registered address in Gush Katif were permitted to enter. Permits for 24–48 hours were given to select visitors for a few weeks before the entire area

2184-401: The first phase of the disengagement plan by a vote of 17 to 5. Netanyahu blamed the Israeli government for moving "blindly along" with the disengagement by not taking into account the expected upsurge in terrorism. On August 10, in his first speech before the Knesset following his resignation, Netanyahu spoke of the necessity for Knesset members to oppose the proposed disengagement: Only we in

2240-575: The framework of any possible future permanent agreement. At the same time, in the framework of the Disengagement Plan, Israel will strengthen its control over those same areas in the Land of Israel which will constitute an inseparable part of the State of Israel in any future agreement." It was at this time that he began to use the word "occupation". Bernard Avishai states that the Gaza withdrawal

2296-483: The ground holding their infants. Population statistics for Israeli Gaza Strip settlements Population statistics for former Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip , which were evacuated in 2005 as part of Israel's unilateral disengagement plan . Population Statistic Sources Settlement Date Sources Unilateral Unilateralism and multilateralism represent different policy approaches to international problems. When agreement by multiple parties

Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip - Misplaced Pages Continue

2352-551: The need to consider unilateral separation, which would likely prevent dialogue with the Palestinians for at least 25 years. Sharon suggested his disengagement plan for the first time on December 18, 2003, at the Fourth Herzliya Conference. In his address to the Conference, Sharon stated that "settlements which will be relocated are those which will not be included in the territory of the State of Israel in

2408-674: The opening of the Knesset winter session, Sharon outlined his plan to start legislation for the disengagement in the beginning of November. In a symbolic act, the Knesset voted 53–44 against Sharon's address: Labor voted against, while the National Religious Party and ten members of Likud refused to support Sharon in the vote. On October 26, the Knesset gave preliminary approval for the plan with 67 for, 45 against, seven abstentions, and one member absent. Netanyahu and three other cabinet ministers from Sharon's ruling Likud government threatened to resign unless Sharon agreed to hold

2464-461: The plan in his April 14, 2004, letter to U.S. President George W. Bush , stating that "there exists no Palestinian partner with whom to advance peacefully toward a settlement". On June 6, 2004, Sharon's government approved an amended disengagement plan, but with the reservation that the dismantling of each settlement should be voted separately. On October 11, at the opening of the Knesset winter session, Sharon outlined his plan to start legislation for

2520-401: The plan in the 50–60% range and opposition in the 30–40% range. The Israeli military met heavy resistance and riots from settlers while pulling out. Two far-right Israelis self-immolated . Benjamin Netanyahu resigned from Sharon's government over the pullout. The United Nations , international human rights organizations, many legal scholars, and a “majority of academic commentators” regard

2576-515: The rest will not be dealt with until the Palestinians turn into Finns . That is the significance of what we did. Demographic concerns, the maintenance of a Jewish majority in Israeli-controlled areas, played a significant role in the development of the policy. The rationale for the disengagement has been partly attributed to Arnon Soffer 's campaign regarding "the danger the Palestinian womb posed to Israeli democracy." Sharon mentioned

2632-500: The right and garnered him unusual support from the left-wing in Israel. The right believes that Sharon ignored the mandate he had been elected on, and instead adopted the platform of his Labor opponent, Amram Mitzna , who was overwhelmingly defeated when he campaigned on a disengagement plan of far smaller magnitude. At that time, Sharon referred to Gaza communities such as Netzarim as "no different than Tel Aviv ", and said that they are of such strategic value that "the fate of Netzarim

2688-549: The roof of his home, with at least four of those on the rooftop being armed. A brief stand-off with security forces ensued, and snipers were deployed after Yitzhaki threatened to fire at troops. Security forces stormed the rooftop and arrested settlers without any violence. IDF and police forces evacuated the home after Yitzhaki surrendered weapons and ammunition belonging to his group, but were met with bags of paint and whitewash thrown by settlers, and Yitzhaki's wife and another right-wing activist initially refused to evacuate and lay on

2744-410: The roof with barbed wire, and pelted security forces with various objects. Police removed them by force after negotiations failed, and there were injuries to both settlers and officers. On August 17, the settlement of Morag was evacuated by 200 police officers. On August 18, Shirat HaYam was evacuated by military and police forces, after infiltrators had been removed and the settlement's speaker system

2800-416: The settlers who chose to do so by packing their belongings and carrying them. During the operation, soldiers went into settlers' homes and presented them with removal decrees. In addition, the IDF arranged crews of social nurses, psychologists, and support to youths. On April 8, 2005, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said that Israel should consider not demolishing the evacuated buildings in the Gaza Strip, with

2856-494: The term 'peace process' is a bundle of concepts and commitments. The peace process is the establishment of a Palestinian state with all the security risks that entails. The peace process is the evacuation of settlements, it's the return of refugees, it's the partition of Jerusalem. And all that has now been frozen.... what I effectively agreed to with the Americans was that part of the settlements would not be dealt with at all, and

SECTION 50

#1732779489617

2912-620: Was a unilateral decision serving Israeli national interests and was not intended as a prelude to further withdrawals or genuine peace efforts. In his book Sharon: The Life of a Leader , Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's son Gilad wrote that he gave his father the idea of the disengagement. Sharon had originally dubbed his unilateral disengagement plan the "separation plan" or Tokhnit HaHafrada, before realizing that, "separation sounded bad, particularly in English, because it evoked apartheid." In an interview from November 2003, Ehud Olmert ,

2968-478: Was completely sealed off to non-residents. Despite this ban, opponents of the disengagement managed to sneak in by foot through fields and bare soil. Estimates range from a few hundred to a few thousand people for those there illegally at that time. At one point, Sharon contemplated deploying Israel Border Police ( Magav ) forces to remove non-residents, but decided against it, as the manpower requirement would have been too great. At midnight between August 14 and 15,

3024-667: Was designed to improve Israel's security and international status in the absence of political negotiations to end the Israeli–Palestinian conflict . About nine thousand Israeli residents within Gaza were instructed to leave the area or face eviction by the night of Tuesday, August 16, 2005. Under the Revised Disengagement Plan adopted on June 6, 2004, the IDF was to have remained on the Gaza–Egypt border and could have engaged in further house demolitions to widen

3080-524: Was designed to obviate rather than facilitate peace negotiations: Sharon envisaged at the same time annexing Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley , and the major settlements like Ma'ale Adumim and Ariel which he had in the meantime developed, and thereby isolate Palestinians on the West Bank in territory that constituted less than half of what existed beyond the Green Line . Sharon formally announced

3136-474: Was disabled after settlers used it to call on troops to disobey orders. Youth placed obstacles made of flammable materials and torched tires and garbage dumpsters. Fires spread to Palestinian areas, and IDF bulldozers were deployed to put them out. A number of people also barricaded themselves in the synagogue and public buildings and on a deserted rooftop. Aryeh Yitzhaki defended his home with an M16 rifle , and dozens of settlers barricaded themselves inside or on

#616383