Sharon barely secures support for disengagement plan

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon barely won the support of the Knesset plenum on Monday evening for his disengagement plan. After addressing the lawmakers, Sharon asked them to vote on his statement, saying that it would be a vote of confidence in him; 46 voted in support, while 45 voted against it.

Members of the National Union, a member of the coalition government, abstained while National Religious Party members were absent from the plenum.

Until the Palestinians understand that it is in their interests to put an end to terrorism, Israel will be forced to act according to its own will, Sharon told lawmakers in his statement.

The prime minister also said that Sunday's double suicide terror attack on the Ashdod port proved that there was no Palestinian brave enough to tackle terrorism.

"The Palestinian leadership has done nothing; it has not carried out arrests, it has not fought against terrorism, it has not confiscated weapons and has not stopped incitement in media, schools and mosques," said Sharon. "On the one hand, [Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's] Fatah takes responsibility for terror attacks and on the other, they condemn in English the attack. The Palestinians must understand that the only way to peace is to battle terror and incitement."

Sharon told the lawmakers that his disengagement plan would prevent a diplomatic vacuum that would expose Israel to diplomatic initiatives from foreign countries.

The prime minister also warned that if the current situation continues, such a vacuum would certainly ensue, leading to the complete collapse of the U.S.-backed road map and Israel will not be in a position to suggest its own alternatives. He said that foreign initiatives would demand of Israel that it come to an agreement with the Palestinians and make broad concessions, all while terrorism continues.

Sharon stressed to the Knesset members that his disengagement plan had not been finalized. He promised that when the government decides on the necessary steps, they will be brought to the Kensset for approval.

The debate was initiated by the Meretz faction, which collected signatures of 40 MKs. Representatives from most Knesset factions took to the podium, before Sharon himself stepped up.

Meretz MK Yossi Sarid opened the discussion by asking the prime minister to "tell us, just once, what lies behind all your talk." Sarid took his turn on the podium to detail cases where, he claims, Sharon has changed his position, such as the West Bank separation fence and relations with Egypt. "Four months ago, you said that you would not hold talks with them [Egypt] until they release [Israeli] Azam Azam. Now Egypt has become the government's most important mediator."

Sarid also reminded Sharon that he once said he views the Gaza Strip settlement of Netzarim as no less important than Tel Aviv." The former Meretz leader added, however, that his party would vote in favor of the disengagement plan, if such a plan is brought before the Knesset for a vote.

Representatives from the Labor, Shinui, Hadash and United Torah Judaism parties all took to the podium.

MK David Levy (Likud) told the lawmakers he was convinced the disengagement plan would fail, as not even a majority of ministers were in favor of it and it offered a prize to terrorism.

Olmert blasts colleagues who oppose pullout plan

Trade and Industry Minister Ehud Olmert lashed out Monday at those of his Likud colleagues who do not support Sharon's disengagement plan. Olmert hinted that the prime minister will have to draw conclusions about and possibly take action on certain ministers in the near future.

Olmert's comments were primarily aimed at Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, both of whom have expressed their opposition to any unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Speaking to Haaretz, Olmert said, "It is not acceptable that some ministers, who are supposed to explain the Israeli position abroad, do not identify with it and are actively opposing it [at home]. Israel's position is, first and foremost, the position of the prime minister. The time is drawing near when the prime minister will have to put his house in order. That may well involve painful decisions on his part, and the part of all of these ministers."

According to Olmert, who also serves as deputy prime minister, "we are in an impossible position, which cannot be tolerated for much longer. It is true that the prime minister has not yet brought his plan to the cabinet, but it is crystal clear he has an unmistakable diplomatic vision. It is strange that, on such a crucial issue, some Likud minister are waging a public war against the prime minister. This is preventing us from formulating a diplomatic solution."