|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
Occupied or not? Gaza's new status stirs debate
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Issue
|
| Contributor | Penguin |
| Last Edited | Penguin Sep 12, 2005 12:08am |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | General |
| Media | Website - Yahoo News |
| News Date | Monday, September 12, 2005 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | By Wafa Amr Sun Sep 11, 4:33 AM ET
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - When it comes to whether the
Gaza Strip will still be considered occupied territory after
Israel completes its withdrawal this week, the answer lies in the eye of the beholder.
Israel says no. The Palestinians say yes. The
United Nations, the main arbiter in such matters, is undecided.
Confusion surrounding Gaza's legal status will linger far beyond the pullout of Israeli forces, expected to start on Sunday on the heels of last month's evacuation of 8,500 Jewish settlers.
As with most issues, Israelis and Palestinians have staked out diametrically opposed positions, another sign of looming obstacles to renewed peacemaking despite hopes stirred by Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon's "disengagement" plan.
Israeli officials insist the last phase of the withdrawal, the Jewish state's first uprooting of settlements on land the Palestinians want for a state, will bring a complete end to 38 years of occupation of the tiny coastal territory.
"We will declare an end to military rule in Gaza," Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told Palestinian television. "We do not want to have any responsibility over Gaza."
But Palestinians say occupation will not truly be over until Israel gives up control of Gaza's air space, sea lanes and border crossings. |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
