Prime Minister Ariel Sharon plans to present, at this Sunday's Cabinet meeting, a detailed proposal for the removal of 25 Jewish towns in Gaza and northern Shomron and the expulsion of their residents - despite the fact that all indications are that it will not pass.
The key minister is Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who some Sharon aides are accusing of trying to prematurely succeed Sharon as Prime Minister. Sharon met with Netanyahu yesterday, and the latter said he would be willing to support the destruction of no more than three communities. He has explained in the past that for the Cabinet to approve the removal of all 25 towns - even in a staged format - would be to "spit in the face" of the Likud membership, which specifically rejected a very similar plan less than four weeks ago.
Sharon then came up with another compromise: Instead of voting on the removal of all 25 towns now, the Cabinet would resolve to remove only three - but would "note" the existence of a plan to remove all 25 in the future. This, Sharon hoped, would enable everyone to interpret the decision in the manner most convenient to him, while at the same time putting the plan, once and for all, on the public table.
Netanyahu refused. Anything calling for the removal of the 25 towns in question, Netanyahu feels, is, by definition, that which was rejected by the Likud membership - and must therefore not be implemented.
Sharon then spent last night and this morning conferring with his aides and Shinui ministers, trying to figure out how to meet this political challenge. Many commentators and opposition figures noted that rarely has a Prime Minister tried so hard, and with so little success, to pass a diplomatic initiative.
It should be noted, as well, that the Labor Party has scheduled a no-confidence motion for Monday; the government has only barely squeaked by such votes in recent weeks, because of the abstention of many MKs of the National Religious Party and the National Union. These two parties have basically resolved to resign from the government if even one community is slated for removal. In addition, Sharon faces much opposition within his own party's rank-and-file.
Finally, early this afternoon, Sharon decided: He will present the "full version" of the plan, come what may. This version involves five separate votes: one vote on Sunday for the removal of all 25 towns in four stages, and one vote for each stage in the future. At present, this version is expected to fail, as follows:
Of the 23 Cabinet ministers, 11 are certainly on Sharon's side (Sharon, Olmert, Ezra, Livni, Sheetrit, Mofaz and the five Shinui ministers), while 8 are definitely against (Landau, Katz, HaNegbi, Sharansky and the four of National Union and NRP). This leaves Netanyahu, Livnat, Shalom and Naveh as the scale-tippers, and they - at present - object to the "full version." The political establishment is said to be in "great suspense" as the Sunday meeting approaches.
The three Jewish towns that have been mentioned for the "first stage of withdrawal" are Netzarim in central Gaza; Morag, in the south-east corner of Gush Katif; and Rafiach Yam, on the Mediterranean Coast. The town of Kfar Darom has been put off for the third stage, as it is more physically and ideologically established than many of the others.
The second stage would involve the four towns of the northern Shomron - Kadim, Ganim, Sa-Nur and Chomesh, while the third stage would see the destruction of the 15 remaining Gush Katif towns. Finally, in the fourth stage, northern Gaza's Nisanit, Elei Sinai and Dugit would be dismantled.
Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who preceded even Ariel Sharon in calling for a unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, and even most of Judea and Samaria, says that no matter what happens on Sunday, Israel's withdrawal from Gaza is just a matter of time. "I am convinced that we will not remain in Gaza, and that there will not be Jewish settlement in Gaza," he said this morning.
NRP Chairman Housing Minister Effie Eitam said today that it would be unfortunate for Sharon to disband his coalition "merely because of his desire to dismantle three Jewish towns."
Omri Sharon, the Prime Minister's son, is said to be advising his father to temporarily abandon his diplomatic plans and to concentrate on stabilizing his coalition. Long-time Likud member Eli Kornfeld of Ashkelon, 30 years in the Likud and head of the "Your Way is Our Way" faction, told Arutz-7's Yosef Meiri, "Sharon is surrounded by power-minded people, and he has decided, for some reason, to bring a plan on Sunday that he knows will cause havoc in the party."
The key minister is Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who some Sharon aides are accusing of trying to prematurely succeed Sharon as Prime Minister. Sharon met with Netanyahu yesterday, and the latter said he would be willing to support the destruction of no more than three communities. He has explained in the past that for the Cabinet to approve the removal of all 25 towns - even in a staged format - would be to "spit in the face" of the Likud membership, which specifically rejected a very similar plan less than four weeks ago.
Sharon then came up with another compromise: Instead of voting on the removal of all 25 towns now, the Cabinet would resolve to remove only three - but would "note" the existence of a plan to remove all 25 in the future. This, Sharon hoped, would enable everyone to interpret the decision in the manner most convenient to him, while at the same time putting the plan, once and for all, on the public table.
Netanyahu refused. Anything calling for the removal of the 25 towns in question, Netanyahu feels, is, by definition, that which was rejected by the Likud membership - and must therefore not be implemented.
Sharon then spent last night and this morning conferring with his aides and Shinui ministers, trying to figure out how to meet this political challenge. Many commentators and opposition figures noted that rarely has a Prime Minister tried so hard, and with so little success, to pass a diplomatic initiative.
It should be noted, as well, that the Labor Party has scheduled a no-confidence motion for Monday; the government has only barely squeaked by such votes in recent weeks, because of the abstention of many MKs of the National Religious Party and the National Union. These two parties have basically resolved to resign from the government if even one community is slated for removal. In addition, Sharon faces much opposition within his own party's rank-and-file.
Finally, early this afternoon, Sharon decided: He will present the "full version" of the plan, come what may. This version involves five separate votes: one vote on Sunday for the removal of all 25 towns in four stages, and one vote for each stage in the future. At present, this version is expected to fail, as follows:
Of the 23 Cabinet ministers, 11 are certainly on Sharon's side (Sharon, Olmert, Ezra, Livni, Sheetrit, Mofaz and the five Shinui ministers), while 8 are definitely against (Landau, Katz, HaNegbi, Sharansky and the four of National Union and NRP). This leaves Netanyahu, Livnat, Shalom and Naveh as the scale-tippers, and they - at present - object to the "full version." The political establishment is said to be in "great suspense" as the Sunday meeting approaches.
The three Jewish towns that have been mentioned for the "first stage of withdrawal" are Netzarim in central Gaza; Morag, in the south-east corner of Gush Katif; and Rafiach Yam, on the Mediterranean Coast. The town of Kfar Darom has been put off for the third stage, as it is more physically and ideologically established than many of the others.
The second stage would involve the four towns of the northern Shomron - Kadim, Ganim, Sa-Nur and Chomesh, while the third stage would see the destruction of the 15 remaining Gush Katif towns. Finally, in the fourth stage, northern Gaza's Nisanit, Elei Sinai and Dugit would be dismantled.
Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who preceded even Ariel Sharon in calling for a unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, and even most of Judea and Samaria, says that no matter what happens on Sunday, Israel's withdrawal from Gaza is just a matter of time. "I am convinced that we will not remain in Gaza, and that there will not be Jewish settlement in Gaza," he said this morning.
NRP Chairman Housing Minister Effie Eitam said today that it would be unfortunate for Sharon to disband his coalition "merely because of his desire to dismantle three Jewish towns."
Omri Sharon, the Prime Minister's son, is said to be advising his father to temporarily abandon his diplomatic plans and to concentrate on stabilizing his coalition. Long-time Likud member Eli Kornfeld of Ashkelon, 30 years in the Likud and head of the "Your Way is Our Way" faction, told Arutz-7's Yosef Meiri, "Sharon is surrounded by power-minded people, and he has decided, for some reason, to bring a plan on Sunday that he knows will cause havoc in the party."