Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Kadima members that he cannot ignore the fact that something very basic has changed in Israel over the past few weeks, and that he must now adapt his government's agenda accordingly.
Speaking with leading Kadima Party officials, Haaretz reports, Olmert said he cannot ignore the situation in Judea and Samaria, but that rebuilding the north will now take up most of the government's time and resources.
Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres, too, does not see Olmert's unilateral withdrawal plan occurring in the near future - and possibly not at all. Speaking with American Jews in New York Thursday night, Peres said that the war in Lebanon "lowered the chances" for a unilateral Disengagement-like retreat from Judea and Samaria. He said that Israel must now focus on bilateral negotiations.
The Kadima Party - founded by Ariel Sharon, headed by Ehud Olmert, and joined by Shimon Peres after many decades in the Labor Party - has based itself chiefly on one concept: a unilateral withdrawal from most of Judea and Samaria. If the idea is now shelved, Kadima will have to reformulate its agenda.
Several Kadima members have been quoted, and a few have even gone on record, as opposing Olmert's plan. MK David Tal, formerly of Shas and Labor-One Nation, recently said that in light of the two-front war forced upon Israel, "there is nothing to talk about now regarding further expulsions and unilateral moves. The whole idea of unilateralism has been shown to be worthless."
Minister Meir Sheetrit said, even before the Lebanese war, that he opposes the concept of a retreat from Judea and Samaria. A long-time supporter of the Disengagement ever since his days in the Likud, Sheetrit said six weeks ago that a unilateral withdrawal is liable to endanger Israel. "The reality has shown that an Israeli retreat with no coordination with the other side is a mistake," Sheetrit said, "and could bring the threat of Kassam rockets right to the center of Israel."
Ramon Resigns
Meanwhile, another Kadima member, Justice Minister Chaim Ramon, announced today (Friday) that he will resign his post on Sunday. This follows the decision announced last night by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to indict him on charges of sexual harassment.
Ramon left the Labor Party and joined Kadima just days after Ariel Sharon founded it last November, and strongly supported the retreats from Lebanon and Gaza, as well as a unilateral withdrawal from Judea and Samaria. If Olmert appoints a replacement for Ramon, it is said that he will choose from among Minister Sheetrit, Interior Minister Roni Bar-On, or - a long shot - former Justice Minister Dan Meridor.
Speaking with leading Kadima Party officials, Haaretz reports, Olmert said he cannot ignore the situation in Judea and Samaria, but that rebuilding the north will now take up most of the government's time and resources.
Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres, too, does not see Olmert's unilateral withdrawal plan occurring in the near future - and possibly not at all. Speaking with American Jews in New York Thursday night, Peres said that the war in Lebanon "lowered the chances" for a unilateral Disengagement-like retreat from Judea and Samaria. He said that Israel must now focus on bilateral negotiations.
The Kadima Party - founded by Ariel Sharon, headed by Ehud Olmert, and joined by Shimon Peres after many decades in the Labor Party - has based itself chiefly on one concept: a unilateral withdrawal from most of Judea and Samaria. If the idea is now shelved, Kadima will have to reformulate its agenda.
Several Kadima members have been quoted, and a few have even gone on record, as opposing Olmert's plan. MK David Tal, formerly of Shas and Labor-One Nation, recently said that in light of the two-front war forced upon Israel, "there is nothing to talk about now regarding further expulsions and unilateral moves. The whole idea of unilateralism has been shown to be worthless."
Minister Meir Sheetrit said, even before the Lebanese war, that he opposes the concept of a retreat from Judea and Samaria. A long-time supporter of the Disengagement ever since his days in the Likud, Sheetrit said six weeks ago that a unilateral withdrawal is liable to endanger Israel. "The reality has shown that an Israeli retreat with no coordination with the other side is a mistake," Sheetrit said, "and could bring the threat of Kassam rockets right to the center of Israel."
Ramon Resigns
Meanwhile, another Kadima member, Justice Minister Chaim Ramon, announced today (Friday) that he will resign his post on Sunday. This follows the decision announced last night by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to indict him on charges of sexual harassment.
Ramon left the Labor Party and joined Kadima just days after Ariel Sharon founded it last November, and strongly supported the retreats from Lebanon and Gaza, as well as a unilateral withdrawal from Judea and Samaria. If Olmert appoints a replacement for Ramon, it is said that he will choose from among Minister Sheetrit, Interior Minister Roni Bar-On, or - a long shot - former Justice Minister Dan Meridor.