Israeli Pullout Moved in Deference to Religious Law

Religion impacts government policies in surprising ways. Haaretz reports that Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz will recommend delaying Israel's withdrawal from Gaza until August 15. It was originally planned for July 20, but that was just before the beginning of a religious three-week period of mourning leading up to Tisha B'av, the commemoration of the destruction of the First and Second Jewish Temples in 586 B.C.E. and 70 C.E. Jewish religious law prohibits moving to new homes during that three week period.