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former Gush Katif residents (file)
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| By Ynetnews January 24, 2007 |
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Evacuated Gaza Strip settlers criticized Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Tuesday for what they referred to as 'foot-dragging' in the establishment of permanent housing projects for them in the southern Lachish region.
During his tour of the area Olmert was brought to a lookout point at the top of a hill to see torches that were lit in his honor where the new settlements will be built.
Evacuee Moti Shomron told him, "Although we were driven out of our homes, we have not tired of the dream to build our homes on the land of our fathers."
'Come see how a new region is inhabited'
Tzviya Shimon, head of SELA (Administration for Assistance to Settlers from the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria), said, "Unfortunately, we are a little behind in the building process. However, we also need solutions for problems of employment, education and welfare."
Interior Minister Ronnie Bar-On estimated that the first seven new settlements will be approved within five months. As he spoke, murmurs were heard from the audience disapproving the lengthy process that is making life very difficult for the residents.
"The whole thing could have been decided overnight. There is no justification for all this foot-dragging," said Housing and Construction Minister Meir Sheetrit.
Eight other ministers and director generals joined Olmert on the visit, including the Vice Premier and Minister for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee, Shimon Peres.
He requested that bureaucratic obstacles be removed so that the settlements move ahead, and tried to instill some optimism: "I suggest that all the fault-finders, who paint the world in dark colors, come and see how a new region is inhabited," Peres said.
"I was here 50 years ago with David Ben-Gurion, and today I can discern the same sense of pioneership."
Reprinted with permission from Ynet. |
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