The speed of Israel's pullout from 25 settlements -- the first time Israel has abandoned territory Palestinians claim for a state -- was a stinging setback to the ultranationalist movement and opened new opportunities for peace negotiations.

The settler evacuations concluded the unilateral move Sharon envisioned 18 months ago, aimed at reducing friction with the Palestinians, easing Israel's military burden and tightening its hold on the West Bank heartland where most of the 240,000 Jewish settlers live.

Israel said homes in the abandoned settlements will be destroyed in 10 days, part of an agreement with the Palestinians, while in Gaza, the Palestinian Authority plans to build multistory apartments in their place to ease an acute housing shortage. In the West Bank, Israel is destroying homes to prevent Jewish extremists from returning there.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas telephoned Israeli President Moshe Katsav to congratulate Israel on its "courageous step" of leaving Gaza. Abbas and Sharon agreed to meet soon.

The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 27, 2005
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