Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has asked the Jewish Agency (JA) to take part in the re-settlement of Gaza settlers in the Negev and Galilee.

In the JA's annual event held last (Sunday) night on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem, Sharon revealed that he had asked the JA to assist in the absorption of settlers who are to be evacuated from the Gaza Strip under the framework of the disengagement plan. "It is a huge challenge for the JA and I am certain you will conquer it and bring about its implementation", he said.

In response to Sharon's address, JA spokesman said, "The government has asked the JA to be the agency in charge of the re-settlement of evacuated settlers. At this stage, there are still no concrete plans and it is yet unknown if the intention is to build new communities or expand the existing ones".

Meanwhile, Sharon clarified the report first published by NRG Maariv in which the Ministry of Defense published a tender to build a tunnel instead of the existing Philadelphi route near Rafah. During Sunday's weekly cabinet session, the prime minister said that no such tunnel would be dug until the matter is not finalized with Egypt.

In other related developments, it was reported last night that US envoy to the Middle East, William Burns, is to arrive in the region on Wednesday or Thursday for another round of talks with Palestinian and Israeli leaders.

© Copyright 2004 Maariv International