The Disengagement Plan was approved by the Knesset Tuesday night in a 67-45 
vote, with 7 abstentions. While the plan had been expected to pass all along, there were some last minute tensions - the result of power play attempts by Ministers Binyamin Netanyahu and Limor Livnat who sought to present Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with an ultimatum during the last hour before the vote.
Natanyahu and Livnat were planning, according to reports, to threaten to vote against Sharon’s plan unless the Prime Minister would agree on the spot to hold a national referendum on the withdrawal plan. Mr. Sharon refused even to meet with them, taking his seat in the Knesset plenum 15 minutes before the planned vote in a demonstrative show that he had no desire to engage in last-minute negotiations.
While Netanyahu and Livnat were attempting to present their ultimatum, Minister Zevulun Orlev of the National Religious Party (NRP) came out with a 14-day ultimatum of his own. He said that the four members of the NRP who still support the government would quit the coalition in 14 days unless Sharon agrees to hold a national referendum of the expulsion of the Jewish presence in Gaza. On the other hand, if Sharon agrees, the NRP would promise not to quit the government at all.
Immediately after the Knesset vote, Finance Minister Netanyahu and Education Minister Livnat tried to save face with a dramatic announcement that they were joining the NRP’s
ultimatum. “If within 14 days, the prime minister has not agreed to a national referendum, we cannot see ourselves remaining in the government," Netanyahu said, stating that the terms apply to him, as well as Ministers Livnat, Yisrael Katz, and Danny Naveh. Several other Likud members may also join the ultimatum to oppose the government.
Mr. Netanyahu said, "We do not want to topple or replace anyone, but we want to give unity a chance, uniting the Likud and the nation.” He added that if the Gaza plan is not taken to the nation to decide, it will lead to a severe split.
Likud loyalists who oppose the plan were disappointed that Netanyahu and Livnat, who absented themselves from the first vote but appeared in time to cast their votes on the second call, actually voted in favor of the expulsion of Jews and hand-over of land to the PA. The two explained repeatedly in recent days that they remain essentially opposed to the plan, and favor a national referendum.
Likud loyalist Minister Dr. Uzi Landau remained true to his position and voted against the plan, as did Deputy Minister Michael Ratzon. They were both well aware that letters of dismissal awaited them, and in fact Minister Landau was invited to the Prime Minister’s office only minutes after the vote, where he was fired. The dismissal takes effect on Thursday night. Ratzon has also been sacked, effective imediately. MK Ruchama Avraham is reportedly interested in his position.
Landau told the media yesterday that if the prime minister in fact dismisses him, he will continue his battle against unilaterally forfeiting portions of the Land of Israel from his Knesset seat.
Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Zevulun Orlev (National Religious Party) also voted against the plan as expected. Sharon will not be so quick to fire Orlev, however, and in fact it is Orlev who is threatening to quit unless Sharon agrees to a referendum. The two met shortly before yesterday's vote, and Orlev handed the Prime Minister a letter setting a 14-day period before the threat takes practical effect. Orlev said that if the prime minister agrees to a referendum, the NRP - or at least four out of the six MKs; Eitam and Levy have already quit, though Levy might return - will remain in the coalition until the scheduled national elections in 2006. If the prime minister rejects the referendum, the NRP will quit the government.
Orlev added that this promise is not contingent on the outcome of the referendum. The letter presented to Mr. Sharon was signed by NRP and Yesha Council officials, as well as Rabbis Nachum Rabinowitz, Tzfanya Drori, Moti Elon, Eitan Eisman, Shabtai Sabato, Shlomo Aviner, and Sh'ar-Yashuv HaCohen.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon after the vote
Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
While Netanyahu and Livnat were attempting to present their ultimatum, Minister Zevulun Orlev of the National Religious Party (NRP) came out with a 14-day ultimatum of his own. He said that the four members of the NRP who still support the government would quit the coalition in 14 days unless Sharon agrees to hold a national referendum of the expulsion of the Jewish presence in Gaza. On the other hand, if Sharon agrees, the NRP would promise not to quit the government at all.
Immediately after the Knesset vote, Finance Minister Netanyahu and Education Minister Livnat tried to save face with a dramatic announcement that they were joining the NRP’s
Ministers Limor Livnat and Danny Naveh before the vote
Mr. Netanyahu said, "We do not want to topple or replace anyone, but we want to give unity a chance, uniting the Likud and the nation.” He added that if the Gaza plan is not taken to the nation to decide, it will lead to a severe split.
Likud loyalists who oppose the plan were disappointed that Netanyahu and Livnat, who absented themselves from the first vote but appeared in time to cast their votes on the second call, actually voted in favor of the expulsion of Jews and hand-over of land to the PA. The two explained repeatedly in recent days that they remain essentially opposed to the plan, and favor a national referendum.
Likud loyalist Minister Dr. Uzi Landau remained true to his position and voted against the plan, as did Deputy Minister Michael Ratzon. They were both well aware that letters of dismissal awaited them, and in fact Minister Landau was invited to the Prime Minister’s office only minutes after the vote, where he was fired. The dismissal takes effect on Thursday night. Ratzon has also been sacked, effective imediately. MK Ruchama Avraham is reportedly interested in his position.
Landau told the media yesterday that if the prime minister in fact dismisses him, he will continue his battle against unilaterally forfeiting portions of the Land of Israel from his Knesset seat.
Ariel Sharon and Minister Zevulun Orlev
Orlev added that this promise is not contingent on the outcome of the referendum. The letter presented to Mr. Sharon was signed by NRP and Yesha Council officials, as well as Rabbis Nachum Rabinowitz, Tzfanya Drori, Moti Elon, Eitan Eisman, Shabtai Sabato, Shlomo Aviner, and Sh'ar-Yashuv HaCohen.