Military

DATE=6/9/2005

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS (L-Only)

NUMBER=2-325157

BYLINE=ROBERT BERGER

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

HEADLINE: Israel's High Court Gives Green Light for Gaza Pullout

INTRO: Israel's High Court has given a green light to the government's plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip in August. As Robert Berger reports from the VOA bureau in Jerusalem, Israel and the Palestinians plan to coordinate the withdrawal.

TEXT: Israel's Supreme Court ruled that the government's Gaza withdrawal plan is constitutional, removing the last legal obstacle to the pullout, which is due to begin in mid-August. The court rejected 12 petitions by opponents of the plan. It said Gaza is not a part of Israel, and, therefore, the evacuation of more than eight-thousand settlers is not a violation of human rights.

Yoram Sheftel is a lawyer for the settlers.

/// SHEFTEL ACT ///

"We didn't expect anything from this court, since the petitioners are Jews, patriots and settlers."

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Sheftel said the court is much more lenient ...

/// SHEFTEL ACT ///

" ... when the petitioners are Arabs, terrorists that come to destroy this country."

/// END ACT ///

The Israeli government welcomed the Supreme Court decision.

/// LIVNI ACT IN HEBREW, ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

"I hope this ruling makes it absolutely clear to the settlers that the pullout is going ahead," Justice Minister Tzippe Livni told Israel Radio.

In another boost to implementation of the plan, Israel and the Palestinians have struck a deal to coordinate the pullout. Under the agreement, Palestinian security forces would deploy in Gaza, and prevent attacks by militants as Israel withdraws. Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat told VOA that police will maintain law and order.

/// EREKAT ACT ///

"We have an obligation, and we must honor our obligation."

/// END ACT ///

But Israelis have their doubts. A new poll shows that public support for the withdrawal has dropped to an all time low of 48 percent, down from a high of 64 percent last year. Pollsters say Israelis fear that, once the army leaves Gaza, there will be a new wave of Palestinian terror. (SIGNED)

NEB/RB/TW/MEM