Prime Minister Ariel Sharon continues to insist that his unilateral withdrawal plan must be passed in its entirety. All indications are that despite efforts to find a compromise involving the destruction of only three Jewish towns in Gaza, there is no stopping him, and he will even fire ministers if necessary in order to procure the necessary majority.

Housing Minister Effie Eitam, a leading opponent of Sharon’s plan, said, “I asked Sharon straight out: Are you willing to accept a ‘no’ to this plan? And he said that in principle he can accept a ‘no,’ but not in this case…”

Justice Minister Yosef (Tommy) Lapid has been instrumental in trying to find a compromise proposal that Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will be able to support. Lapid’s idea consists of voting on a first-stage withdrawal from three towns, and “noting” in some context or other the intention to proceed with the full dismantling of all the towns. Netanyahu is said to be willing to consider this suggestion, leading some opponents of the plan to express concern that he will in fact support it. Sharon, however, is said to perceive himself in the midst of a “storming operation,” and is not willing to hear compromises.

Things were expected to come to a head this afternoon when the Prime Minister was to deliver a speech in the Knesset in which he was to spell out his entire plan, leading several ministers to vote against, their consequent dismissal from the government, and the collapse of the present coalition. Sharon was saved from this scenario this morning when Speaker Ruby Rivlin decided, at Sharon’s request, to postpone today’s session until next week.

Labor MKs were enraged by the decision. They will introduce a no-confidence motion, but it is not expected to have great significance.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 1st, 2004 and is filed under news.