Olmert: We must discuss compensation to prevent suffering

The government decided Sunday to postpone its scheduled discussion on an initiative put forward Vice Premier Haim Ramon, proposing the voluntary evacuation and compensation of Israeli settlers living in the West Bank.

The discussion was postponed after the debate concerning Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann motion to limit the High Court's legislative authority, proved to take longer then expected.  

Prior to the decision to defer the discussion, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert  said that "we're not about to make any decision yet, but since there is a serious negotiation going on, which may have concrete results, we have to think about all aspects."

The evacuation-compensation bill attempts to regulate State-funded monetary competition to any West Bank residents who would be willing to leave their homes as part of any future peace agreement with the Palestinian Authority.

"We were often criticized about the fact that the Gaza vicinity communities were ill-prepared (for the 2005 pullout), and that a lot of people suffered for nothing. We have to start planning ahead," said the prime minister.

Sunday's debate caused a stir in the cabinet, as many ministers criticized the decision to hold it just two weeks prior to the Kadima primaries.

The timing, said those admonishing the move, cannot be coincidental, as it is most likely meant to hinder any chance the next Kadima chairman would have to include any of the right-wing parties in the coalition.

Timing is everything

Prior to the meeting, Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On said that he does not believe "the Israeli public or its leadership are ready to discuss the bill... it's not all about money, this has a lot to do with timing and relevance. The leadership's and the public's interests have to meet to make this a relevant issue."

Shas Chairman Eli Yishai and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit both voiced fierce objections to the debate:

"This may cause irrevocable damage to the negotiations with the Palestinians. We are continuing with one-sided concessions. With all due respect, we are not here to cater to the Palestinians' wishes," said Sheetrit. "Discussing this bill doesn’t make any sense. It will destroy the communities beyond the Green Line. Before we deal with that we have to deal with illegal outposts."

Sources close to Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, who is bidding for Kadima's chairmanship, also said the debate's timing was odd, noting that "this move was probably planed by someone who doesn’t want Olmert's replacement to be able to form a coalition which would include Shas or any other rightist. parties."

Sources in Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's camp reiterated the sentiment, saying that "it's too soon to discuss anything like that."

Ramon announced of his plan to push the evacuation-compensation bill several months ago. According to assessments, several tens of thousands of settlers – who reside outside the larger settlement blocs – are likely to leave the area willingly. 

The bill is also said to be an attempt to appease the settlers' objection to any further Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank.