The Cabinet has begun its weekly meeting - its first post-Road Map session. Justice Minister Yosef (Tommy) Lapid, who supports the Road Map, has criticism of Sharon for not filling the ministers in on the details of the diplomatic developments, while within the National Religious Party there are calls to quit the government.



Security officials are reporting to the ministers on the removal of the closure, the impending release of 100 terrorist prisoners, and other gestures. The officials are terming the measures a "calculated risk."



Sharon has rejected an American request to declare, in Aqaba, the "end of the occupation." He also will not announce his intention to dismantle "illegal outposts," although that had been under consideration. Jordan's King Abdullah will also take part in the Bush-Sharon-Abbas summit in Aqaba on Wednesday. The day before, the same leaders - except for Sharon, but with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak instead - will gather for an Arab-American summit in Sharm a-Sheikh.



Former NRP leader Rabbi Yitzchak Levy, now the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, says that the government's acceptance of the Road Map plan and the establishment of a Palestinian state is a sign that the party should quit the government. Party leader Housing Minister Effie Eitam and #2 man Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev object. Orlev said that now is not the time for the nationalist camp to abandon the governmental playing field.