Israel Bars Influx of Settler Supporters

Israel banned its citizens Friday from moving into Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, hoping to forestall a feared influx aimed at blocking a pullout from the occupied territory this summer.

The military issued the decree as the government set March 29 for a crucial parliamentary debate on the 2005 state budget. It must pass by March 31 or Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will have to call an election.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday persuaded militants to extend a de facto truce until year’s end. The agreement eased a threat of renewed attacks on settlers that might delay the pullout, scheduled to start in July.

But as violence in Gaza has subsided, Israeli media have reported an increase in the number of people who have changed their addresses to settlements in an effort to swell their population of 8,500 and thwart troops assigned to evacuate them.

The army said it had issued orders “prohibiting the relocation of Israeli citizens into the Gaza Strip,” namely 21 settlements earmarked for removal under Sharon’s bid to “disengage” from conflict with the Palestinians.

“The decree was signed in accordance with the decision made by the political echelon and ... preparations to implement the decision to carry out the Disengagement Plan,” it said.

A spokesman for Gaza settlers condemned the army’s action. “This is preparation ... for creating ethnic cleansing here. It’s an immoral decision. Hundreds of thousands of [supporters] will come here whether they have identity cards with a [Gaza settlement] address or not,” Eran Sternberg said.