Israeli soldiers to face courts for disobeying Gaza orders

ARIEL Sharon yesterday said the government would prosecute soldiers disobeying orders to evacuate settlers from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank communities, a day after settler leaders told army commanders thousands of troops might refuse to carry out the withdrawal.

The Israeli prime minister’s comments came as settler leaders stepped up their campaign to oppose the evacuation, due to begin in July.

Hundreds of settlers danced, sang and studied religious texts in the rain outside Israel’s parliament yesterday in a protest against the plan.

"I don’t believe that soldiers can refuse orders," Mr Sharon told a group of international Jewish youth in his office.

The cabinet has approved the withdrawal programme in principle, and parliament has backed it by a large majority. On Sunday, Mr Sharon said a final cabinet vote could take place later this month. But at a meeting with army officers, settler leaders said the military should prepare for the possibility of mass insubordination during the evacuation.