The rabbis convening in Jerusalem yesterday heard, in addition to Torah-based declarations, a political analysis as well. Amanah Settlement Organization Director Ze'ev Chever told them:
"Two weeks ago, following a series of declarations and speeches about painful concessions, including a Palestinian state, the Prime Minister dropped the bomb of uprooting 17 communities in Gaza. This is the way it's done: He drops a 'bomb,' then he says, don't worry, there's still time, and then a few weeks later he drops another 'bomb' and the public gets used to the previous decrees and forgets about them... Sharon is not just talking; all the indications are that he's serious...
"As opposed to the previous plans, this one is not dependent on anything external. It makes no demands on anyone else, and expects nothing in return. This is a unilateral plan, and it could happen in the coming year. We have to aim towards ensuring that final plans are not made, and that's why we have to get the Cabinet to discuss it and decide quickly. We feel that the plan will not pass in the Cabinet; the popular perception that the public is in favor of the plan is not correct."
The Knesset held a stormy session last night in which it voted against Prime Minister Sharon's unilateral withdrawal plan. "The Knesset negates a withdrawal for free," reads the resolution. "The Knesset strengthens the hand of the residents of the Gaza region, who are, as Sharon has said in the past, the 'true Zionists.' The Knesset calls on the Prime Minister to bring the plan to debate and vote before he takes any other diplomatic steps." The resolution has no practical weight, but represents yet another political warning signal to the Prime Minister. At least one Likud MK, Yechiel Chazan, has already spoken out openly about a possible split in the Likud party over the issue, and some 15 Likud MKs are known to oppose the withdrawal plan. The National Union and NRP have indicated that they will quit the coalition if the withdrawal is approved.
"Two weeks ago, following a series of declarations and speeches about painful concessions, including a Palestinian state, the Prime Minister dropped the bomb of uprooting 17 communities in Gaza. This is the way it's done: He drops a 'bomb,' then he says, don't worry, there's still time, and then a few weeks later he drops another 'bomb' and the public gets used to the previous decrees and forgets about them... Sharon is not just talking; all the indications are that he's serious...
"As opposed to the previous plans, this one is not dependent on anything external. It makes no demands on anyone else, and expects nothing in return. This is a unilateral plan, and it could happen in the coming year. We have to aim towards ensuring that final plans are not made, and that's why we have to get the Cabinet to discuss it and decide quickly. We feel that the plan will not pass in the Cabinet; the popular perception that the public is in favor of the plan is not correct."
The Knesset held a stormy session last night in which it voted against Prime Minister Sharon's unilateral withdrawal plan. "The Knesset negates a withdrawal for free," reads the resolution. "The Knesset strengthens the hand of the residents of the Gaza region, who are, as Sharon has said in the past, the 'true Zionists.' The Knesset calls on the Prime Minister to bring the plan to debate and vote before he takes any other diplomatic steps." The resolution has no practical weight, but represents yet another political warning signal to the Prime Minister. At least one Likud MK, Yechiel Chazan, has already spoken out openly about a possible split in the Likud party over the issue, and some 15 Likud MKs are known to oppose the withdrawal plan. The National Union and NRP have indicated that they will quit the coalition if the withdrawal is approved.