MK Matan Vilnai, who has made no secret of his intention to vie for Labor's top spot when elections are next held, led a meeting of Labor activists in Kibbutz Yakum, near Raanana, last night. The former IDF Deputy Chief of Staff told them that if Prime Minister Sharon does not continue "disengaging from the Palestinians" after the withdrawal from Gaza and the northern Shomron, "we will quit the government."
Vilnai said that if and when he is chosen as Prime Minister, he plans to implement additional withdrawals from Judea and Samaria. He attacked those of his party colleagues who "prefer to curl up in the warmth of the government rather than support" his plan.
Asked to comment on Vilnai's words, a spokesman for fellow Labor Party Minister Ophir Pines said, "Minister Pines supports the disengagement. What will happen afterwards is a different situation, and will be judged accordingly when the time comes."
One of the participants at Vilnai's gathering was none other than Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal, a member of the Likud. Moyal lavished praise on Vilnai and endorsed his candidacy for Labor leader. Last year at this time, Moyal was very critical of the disengagement plan, calling it "evil" and announcing plans to establish a Southern Region Mayors Task Force to fight it. During the internal Likud Party referendum regarding the disengagement last May, Moyal said that Prime Minister Sharon "no longer represents the Likud," and that "here in Sderot, we will continue working against [the plan]." The Cabinet later voted to provide special economic aid to Sderot, often targeted by Kassam rockets from Gaza, and even held a meeting there. Moyal has been relatively silent on the disengagement plan of late.
Vilnai said that if and when he is chosen as Prime Minister, he plans to implement additional withdrawals from Judea and Samaria. He attacked those of his party colleagues who "prefer to curl up in the warmth of the government rather than support" his plan.
Asked to comment on Vilnai's words, a spokesman for fellow Labor Party Minister Ophir Pines said, "Minister Pines supports the disengagement. What will happen afterwards is a different situation, and will be judged accordingly when the time comes."
One of the participants at Vilnai's gathering was none other than Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal, a member of the Likud. Moyal lavished praise on Vilnai and endorsed his candidacy for Labor leader. Last year at this time, Moyal was very critical of the disengagement plan, calling it "evil" and announcing plans to establish a Southern Region Mayors Task Force to fight it. During the internal Likud Party referendum regarding the disengagement last May, Moyal said that Prime Minister Sharon "no longer represents the Likud," and that "here in Sderot, we will continue working against [the plan]." The Cabinet later voted to provide special economic aid to Sderot, often targeted by Kassam rockets from Gaza, and even held a meeting there. Moyal has been relatively silent on the disengagement plan of late.