Dov Weisglass, Prime Minister Sharon's top aide, caused a whirlwind of controversy - and attracted criticism from both right and left - by being quoted in Haaretz today as saying that the disengagement plan was designed to replace and stop the Road Map proposed by US President Bush.
Left-wing MKs such as Dalia Itzik (Labor) said that it is now clear that Sharon's bid to withdraw from Gaza was just a ruse to save Judea and Samaria. Right-wing MKs such as Tzvi Hendel (National Union) said that Weisglass made the remarks only in order to curry favor with the nationalist camp.
Weisglass himself clarified today that Haaretz newspaper left out a very important part of what he said. He explained that he said that the disengagement would replace the Road Map only for as long as the Arab side does not carry out its obligations to fight terrorism and install a democratic and peace-loving government.
In any event, many nationalist camp spokesmen do not feel that that the goal is to save Judea and Samaria. There has been much skepticism of Sharon's plan to retain five "settlement blocs" in Judea and Samaria, in light of the government's cooperation with American construction "bans" even in those areas.
In addition, Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin (Likud), speaking this week to a group of visitors from the U.S., said, "Let's not fool ourselves. This is not just about Gush Katif or the northern Shomron. The enemy wants everything, and will not be satiated until [he sees us in] the sea and until he receives Jerusalem."
Left-wing MKs such as Dalia Itzik (Labor) said that it is now clear that Sharon's bid to withdraw from Gaza was just a ruse to save Judea and Samaria. Right-wing MKs such as Tzvi Hendel (National Union) said that Weisglass made the remarks only in order to curry favor with the nationalist camp.
Weisglass himself clarified today that Haaretz newspaper left out a very important part of what he said. He explained that he said that the disengagement would replace the Road Map only for as long as the Arab side does not carry out its obligations to fight terrorism and install a democratic and peace-loving government.
In any event, many nationalist camp spokesmen do not feel that that the goal is to save Judea and Samaria. There has been much skepticism of Sharon's plan to retain five "settlement blocs" in Judea and Samaria, in light of the government's cooperation with American construction "bans" even in those areas.
In addition, Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin (Likud), speaking this week to a group of visitors from the U.S., said, "Let's not fool ourselves. This is not just about Gush Katif or the northern Shomron. The enemy wants everything, and will not be satiated until [he sees us in] the sea and until he receives Jerusalem."