Likud activists working against what they call the physical harbinger of a future Palestinian state - namely, the wall/fence separating most PA areas from the rest of Israel - feel that the key is in the hands of none other than Public Security Minister Uzi Landau. Suzie Dym of Rehovot, spokesperson for the grassroots activist organization Cities of Israel, feels that Landau\'s position and reputation is such that \"as long as he supports this fence, it is politically almost impossible to get other Likud ministers to oppose it. They say, \'if Landau, a good friend of Yesha, is in favor, then what are we to say?\'\"
Dym sees the political situation as follows: \"If the fence is supported by all ten Likud government ministers, this will leave only three ministerial opponents: Ministers Levy and Eitam (NRP) and Housing Minister Sharansky (Yisrael B\'Aliyah). On the other hand, if the Likud ministers oppose the fence - presumably by rallying around Likud MK Michael Eitan\'s plan to fence in the terrorist cities instead of fencing off the entire Judea and Samaria - it is likely that the five Shas party ministers will join them. This will then create a bloc of at least 18 (out of 28) ministers who oppose a fence along the pre-1967 lines.
Following this week\'s Cabinet decision in which the wall was approved in principle, Prime Minister Sharon said that government ministers could present alternative fence \"routes\" by the end of this month. The Yesha Council has prepared its own plan, which will probably be presented by Minister Effie Eitam (NRP). Dym feels that this would be a \"missed opportunity,\" in that if Landau were to present it, it would garner wider-ranging ministerial support. Landau, however, has so far not signaled his intention to present any alternative - neither that of MK Eitan nor that of the Yesha Council.
Dym sees the political situation as follows: \"If the fence is supported by all ten Likud government ministers, this will leave only three ministerial opponents: Ministers Levy and Eitam (NRP) and Housing Minister Sharansky (Yisrael B\'Aliyah). On the other hand, if the Likud ministers oppose the fence - presumably by rallying around Likud MK Michael Eitan\'s plan to fence in the terrorist cities instead of fencing off the entire Judea and Samaria - it is likely that the five Shas party ministers will join them. This will then create a bloc of at least 18 (out of 28) ministers who oppose a fence along the pre-1967 lines.
Following this week\'s Cabinet decision in which the wall was approved in principle, Prime Minister Sharon said that government ministers could present alternative fence \"routes\" by the end of this month. The Yesha Council has prepared its own plan, which will probably be presented by Minister Effie Eitam (NRP). Dym feels that this would be a \"missed opportunity,\" in that if Landau were to present it, it would garner wider-ranging ministerial support. Landau, however, has so far not signaled his intention to present any alternative - neither that of MK Eitan nor that of the Yesha Council.