Ayalon: Evacuate all settlements beyond fence by 2010

By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent

6/12/2005

Former Shin Bet Chief Ami Ayalon, who is vying for a place on the Labor Party's Knesset list, said Tuesday that if it was up to him, no settlements would remain on the Palestinian side of the West Bank separation fence by 2010.

"It is unethical to build houses, knowing that they will be destroyed, and it is immoral to send soldiers to kill and be killed over land that will not be controlled by Israel," Ayalon said at a meeting held with Ben-Gurion University students.

According to Ayalon, the Evacuation Compensation Law should apply to all settlements beyond the fence, and action must be taken immediately to destroy all illegal outposts.

Ayalon harshly criticized Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, saying that the Kadima party would likely disappear when Sharon retires. "I just don't know if he will retire due to his age, or due to changes in Austrian law, which would allow Israeli investigators to view bank transactions. Any which way, Kadima is a passing phenomena in Israeli politics," he said.