The Land of Israel Knesset lobby convened today for the first time since the Sharon government came to power. Its chairman, MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu) explained that its main goal is to provide a counter-balance to the left-wing pressures exerted on Sharon from the left. \"For instance,\" Hendel told Arutz-7 today, \"the army\'s quick withdrawal from Beit Hanoun in Gaza a few weeks ago was not brought about by American pressure; it was because of pressure from Shimon Peres!\" Hendel also said that several key PA buildings in Gaza were not destroyed solely because of pressure from Yossi Beilin and others.