The Hindu : International : Sharon delays Gaza Strip withdrawal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 11, 2005

International

International

Sharon delays Gaza Strip withdrawal

Chris McGreal

Move to divide Jerusalem denied

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday said he would delay the forcible removal of Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip until mid-August in deference to a religious commemoration. Israeli law requires the estimated 8,000 Jews living in the territory to leave by July 20, after which the Government is free to remove by force those that do not go voluntarily. But Mr. Sharon told Israeli television on Monday that he would put off the confrontation with the remaining settlers until after a traditional Jewish period of mourning ends on August 14. The Prime Minister declined to set an exact date. Neither did Mr. Sharon say when the withdrawal will be completed, troops withdrawn from the Gaza strip and the settlements handed to the Palestinians.

Mr. Sharon also denied a claim by the speaker of Israel's Parliament, Reuven Rivlin, that once the Gaza pullout is complete he intends to divide Jerusalem and permit part of the city to become the Palestinian capital.

Mr. Sharon, who has repeatedly said he would not relinquish Israel's claim to all of Jerusalem as its ``indivisible capital'', called Mr. Rivlin's assertion ``nonsense and a baseless lie''.

``I am the last person who would divide Jerusalem,'' said Mr. Sharon. ``I have said this many times. I don't plan to discuss any division of Jerusalem.''

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

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