Gaza disengagement plan labelled “smokescreen” by critics
Preparations are underway for the Israeli government’s planned withdrawal of all troops and Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip, set to take place next month. Over the weekend, US Secretary of state, Condelezza Rice, who is currently visiting the region, heralded the move, claiming it had the potential to “re-energize the peace process”. However, critics observe that the move is a smokescreen that aims to mask the continued build up settlements in the other Palestinian territory, the West Bank. Meanwhile the illegal separation wall continues to be built, despite international condemnation of its devastating effect of the lives of West Bank Palestinians, Stav is a former reserve officer in the Israel army who two years ago joined the growing list of soldiers that now refuse to serve in the Occupied Territories. He is now the US program liaison officer for the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, which advocates for Palestinians. He raised his concerns about the Gaza disengagement plan with The Wire’s Erica Vowles.