Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations
JERUSALEM, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday that the government must start preparing now for the evacuation of settlers from the West Bank, local daily Ha'aretz reported on its website.
Olmert made the remarks at the weekly cabinet meeting before the discussion on an evacuation-compensation bill for settlers in the West Bank.
The bill, proposed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon, would give Israeli residents on the territories the option of relocating in Israel in exchange for financial compensation.
"In light of the fact it is possible we will need to make decisions in the future that will involve the evacuation of residents. It is appropriate that we should already prepare for this now and think about its significance, especially while serious (peace) negotiations are being held," Olmert was quoted assaying.
Olmert added that Israeli government must start planning ahead to avoid suffering to the evacuated settlers since they were often criticized about the ill-preparation for the Gaza vicinity communities in the 2005 pullout.
Israel captured territories in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the 1967 Six Day war. From then on, settlement issue has been highly concerned between the two neighbors.
Under the U.S.-mediated "Road Map" peace plan, which serves as the basis of the peace talks, Israel promised to halt all settlement constructions. But Israel has continued expanding the areas which it vows to retain under any final peace deal.
On Aug. 12, Olmert proposed a plan to the Palestinian National Authority, stating that Israel would withdraw from 93 percent of the West Bank, which means about 70,000 Israeli settlers in 74 settlements have to leave their current homes.
However, Palestinian chief negotiator Ahmed Qurei ruled out the feasibility of the plan, saying a two-state solution could be achieved only if Israel met the Palestinian demand to withdraw from all Palestinian territories in accordance with the 1967 borders.
