Sharon government shaky

Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led right-wing opposition to a removal of all 21 Gaza settlements in one sweep, prompting Sharon to proposed a four-stage pullback instead. Justice Minister Yosef Lapid offered to mediate between Sharon and Netanyahu, and the Cabinet session was adjourned until next week. Sharon also said on Sunday a May 2 Likud referendum, at which the ruling party rejected his plan, was a "mistake"

http://www.jta.org/

Sharon Pushes Gaza Plan but Still Falls Short
By GREG MYRE

Published: May 30, 2004


ERUSALEM, May 30 — Seeking to avoid another major setback for his Gaza Strip withdrawal plan, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel threatened today to dismiss cabinet ministers resisting the proposal, but refrained from a showdown vote he appeared likely to lose.

Mr. Sharon's quest for a unilateral Israeli pullout from Gaza has split his right-wing coalition government, and the prime minister is facing one of his most turbulent periods politically since taking office more than three years ago.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/30/international/middleeast/30CND-MIDE.html

Hamas hit as Sharon stalls vote
From agencies
May 31, 2004
THREE Palestinian militants were killed in Israeli helicopter raids in Gaza City yesterday, just hours before Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon postponed a cabinet vote on a revised version of his Gaza pullback plan.

Among those killed were two local heads of Hamas military wing Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades, Wahel El Nasser and Mohammed al Sarsur, both aged 30.

They were killed by a rocket fired as they rode a motorbike in Gaza City's Zeitun district.

Hamas sources said the two men masterminded a May 11 ambush in which six Israeli soldiers were blown up when their troop carrier rolled over a mine during a raid into Gaza City.

A third activist, Madi al Madi, 18, died yesterday when a rocket hit his home. His wife was among 10 people injured in the attacks.

The al-Qassam Brigades responded by vowing to wreak revenge for the "three assassinations".

At the start of the Israeli cabinet's weekly meeting, Mr Sharon announced his decision to postpone the Gaza withdrawal plan vote until next week's session, public radio reported.

The delay is intended to give the beleaguered Mr Sharon more time to whip up a majority within the 23-member cabinet in support of his new proposals, a watered down version of a plan that was rejected by members of his right-wing Likud party in a referendum four weeks ago.

The new plan would involve the evacuation of only four of the 21 Gaza settlements initially, with any further pullouts having to be the subject of a fresh vote in cabinet.

Earlier, Mr Sharon turned the screws on members of his cabinet opposed to his Gaza plan, local media said.

Informed sources said Mr Sharon was fed up with "political games, the blackmail and threats aimed at influencing the democratic process", especially since a majority of Israelis favoured the plan.

Analysts said Mr Sharon faced a cabinet revolt, notably from his main rival, Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over the plan and that a defeat could end his political career.

Mr Sharon's original plan, backed by US President George W. Bush, for a rapid pullout from Gaza and four isolated West Bank settlements, and the incorporation of others into Israel, was shot down by his early this month.

Mr Netanyahu's supporters reportedly reacted violently to Mr Sharon's "slanderous" remarks about political games.

Israeli public radio said they had called on the Prime Minister to open a dialogue on "principles, rather than a conflict of personalities".

Mr Sharon was reportedly ready to dismiss two ultranationalist cabinet members who fiercely opposed evacuating any settlements, Transport Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Tourism Minister Benny Eilon, to ensure the plan passed any vote.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9700208%255E2703,00.html