The government approved the establishment of five new communities in the Halutza sands, in the western Negev, at its weekly meeting today. All Labor ministers voted in favor, except Salah Tarif, who abstained. Prime Minister Sharon says that this will prevent the area from being turned over to the Palestinians in an exchange for Yesha lands - an idea that had been raised by the Barak negotiating team. Oslo proponent Yossi Beilin has already attacked the idea, saying that it will require Israel to give away \"higher-quality territory.\"