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Protest against Mofaz visit in Neve Dekalim. The sign says: "Mofaz--Sharon's poodle." (AP)
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| By Israel Insider staff and partners April 19, 2005 |
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Defense minister Shaul Mofaz was jeered during a visit to the Gaza settlement of Neve Dekalim Tuesday, as dozens of security officers had to defend him from the wrath of residents slated to be expelled by troops under his command. Mofaz professed love for his detractors and said he wanted to "shake their hands."
Residents at the Gaza Strip settlement of Neve Dekalim called Shaul Mofaz a "traitor" and demanded his resignation during a stormy visit to the area Tuesday.
Mofaz was scheduled to meet with local residents, but they did not attend the planned session. Instead, dozens waited outside with derogatory placards and shouted insults at him.
At one point, the minister attempted to approach the angry crowd and talk to them, but he failed to be heard. Dozens of security guards and police officers surrounded him to protect him from the protestors, hustling him away to safety.
"I wanted to shake their hands," Mofaz said following the incident. "I defended them for years and I wanted to shake their hands but I was surprised by the welcome I received. I was not hurt. This is part of life. I think that a leadership that fears its public is not a real leadership. I thought it would be possible to look them in the eyes and to lower the tension. I did not have to come to this place."
"Leadership is tested in such moments," he said. "Looking citizens in the eyes and telling them 'this is the democratic decision that was taken'."
Earlier, Mofaz met with local community leaders in a session which marked the first time settlers slated for expulsion met with a high-ranking minister supportive of the "disengagement" plan.
The defense minister had visited the Gaza Strip on occasions in recent months, but only to meet with military officials. Those visits also prompted settler protests outside military bases, but the intensity of the anger was markedly higher today.
Residents resentful about visit timing
"Too bad he didn't come here before they voted on the plan," one Gush Katif resident said.
Neveh Dekalim resident Yitzhak Golan agreed. "He came here too late," Golan said. "Aside from coming here to say "Sorry, I made a mistake,' he has no reason to come here." Golan said he believes the local council, headed by Avner Shimoni, also made a mistake when it agreed to host Mofaz.
"Nothing good will come out of this visit. Every meeting with a government figure makes it seem like there is discussion with the residents," he said.
Meanwhile, Gaza Beach Regional Council Head Avner Shimony told Ynet that he still believes that the plan will not be implemented at all. "I really hope they decide to delay [the expulsion], and that eventually we'll stay here," he said.
Non-committal on pullout date
Mofaz also addressed the possibility of delaying the pullout by three weeks and said the settlers' request to postpone the disengagement would be seriously considered.
"We must consult with security establishment figures? but they only make recommendations to the political echelons, which would be making the decision," he said.
However, a postponement, should it be approved, would be limited to three weeks only, Mofaz said.
"The plan will not be put off to the end of the year, " he said. "It's not practical."
Mofaz said it had been initially decided to start the expulsion at the end of July. "But now, in response to a request by the residents, I will consider the request [to alter the dates]. Where we are able to lighten the load, we will do so," he said.
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