Russian Expert: Israeli Withdrawal Could Provoke Regional War

2005-08-19

Expert criticizes organization of Jewish settlement withdrawal

http://en.rian.ru/ world/20050819/ 41192573.html

MOSCOW, August 19 (RIA Novosti)[Russian News and Information Agency] - The withdrawal of Jewish settlements from the Gaza strip will only cause a new round of confrontation, Moscow-based Middle East Institute President Yevgeny Satanovsky told a press conference Friday. "The situation may only aggravate, up to [the point of] a civil war, which Palestine can start from distribution of property left by Israelis and the fight for money allocated by international organizations for land restructuring," Satanovsky said.

Satanovsky said the withdrawal could provoke a large-scale conflict in the West Bank and the whole region.

"A considerable amount of funds allotted by the international community on the establishment of a Palestinian state have disappeared," he said.

According to Satanovsky, the evacuation of the Jewish population from the Gaza strip had not been economically and politically prepared either by Israel or by international organizations.

"The extraordinary actions of Sharon, who is guided by American policy, taken under tough pressure on the part of the U.S. administration, might split Israeli society," Satanovsky said.

He said Israel is in for a new wave of emigration.

"Many people disappointed in the state's policy will leave the country. First in line will be young people disappointed in the authorities' actions, which will inevitably affect the future of the state," he said.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis