Also known as  the Pull Out, the Withdrawal, “he Evacuation, and “HaHitnatkut” in Hebrew. It refers to Israel’s unilateral withdrawal of all 21 Jewish Israeli settlements and the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip (and from four settlements in a small section of the Northern West Bank) in August-September of 2005. The plan generated immense controversy in Israel, and was considered unforgivable treason by the settlement community, especially since its main proponent, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, had been the most important advocate for and implementer of settlements in the West Bank and Gaza since 1967. Many settlers engaged in passive (and some active) resistance, but an immense Israeli army presence allowed it to proceed smoothly. In total, despite tremendous internal opposition, some 8000 Gaza settlers were evacuated as part of the plan. Despite Palestinian offers, Israel refused to coordinate the withdrawal officially with the Palestinian Authority, though informal coordination did take place. Israel currently maintains control over Gaza’s air space, land borders and coastline, but has no “permanent security presence” within the Gaza borders. Israel points out that Palestinians are continuing attacks despite the withdrawal, while Palestinians argue that complete Israeli control of Gaza’s border means the disengagement cannot be considered a true withdrawal. Under international law, Israel remains the occupying power. See Bickerton, Ian J and Carla L. Klausner. A History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, 5th ed. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007; and Efrat, Elisha. The West Bank and Gaza Strip: A geography of occupation and disengagement. London & New York: Routledge, 2006. For a text of the April 2004 declaration outlining the plan, see “Disengagement Plan of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.” 16 April 2004. The Knesset. 12 November 2011. http://www.knesset.gov.il/process/docs/DisengageSharon_eng.htm.  http://www.justvision.org/glossary/gaza-disengagement