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Retired Israeli Generals Call for Unilateral Pullout VOA News 19 Feb 2002 17:42 UTC 
A group of retired Israeli generals has started to campaign for a unilateral withdrawal from most of the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Council for Peace and Security is made up of more than 1,000 retired Israeli security officials. Its proposal includes the dismantling of about 40 Jewish settlements and the establishment of a Palestinian state. The group says troops used to the defend the settlements should instead be placed on the frontier of Israel and the West Bank.
The idea, which is being championed by former prime minster Ehud Barak, calls for the removal of Jewish settlers from all of Gaza and most of the West Bank. Israel would recognize a Palestinian state in areas under Palestinian rule and hold talks with its government.
The Israeli group also advocates the immediate resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians. This idea runs counter to the refusal of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to negotiate while violence continues.
Prime Minister Sharon has said he believes there will be a Palestinian state at the end of the peace process, but that there must be calm before any negotiations. Many of his key supporters oppose evacuation of any Jewish settlers.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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