Sharon meets with Likud party members

TEL AVIV - The settlers slated for evacuation in the Gaza pullout understand they have no choice but to move elsewhere, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told Likud party members Thursday.

"I will actively deal with the subject of the evacuation in the coming months in order to find agreeable solutions," he said, speaking at a meeting held at the party's national headquarters in Tel Aviv.

"That is what I dealt with today (Nitzanim tour) and what I plan to deal with in the next few days, until a solution for the settlers can be found," he said.

Sharon informed his party members of his tour of the Nitzanim area in southern Israel, where settlers may be housed after pullout, and shared the day’s sightseeing impressions with his listeners.

Sharon praises the settlers

He told them he instructed professionals, initiating the construction work in the Western Negev, to complete all necessary infrastructures by May.

"It’s obvious, and I expect that not all settlement residents want to leave," he said. "But after both the government and Knesset came to a decision, a decision I believe is important for Israel's situation and Israel's position, the residents will also understand that there is no other choice."

Sharon concluded by sending all settlers a warm hug.

“We should understand that these are the country’s finest," he said. "Settlers who have managed to develop one of the world’s most glorious agricultural areas, while withstanding the toughest conditions."

In response to Sharon's comments, Gaza Beach Regional Council spokesman Eran Sternberg said the settlers would continue their struggle.

"We are continuing our struggle with faith and confidence that over the coming months Sharon will actively deal with evacuating his own office, to the Sycamore Farm (his personal residence)," he said.