Gaza withdrawal approved
2005-02-20 16:24
Jerusalem - Israel's cabinet on Sunday gave overwhelming and final approval to a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office said.
The vote marked the first time an Israeli government decided to dismantle Jewish settlements on land claimed by the Palestinians for a future state.
Ministers voted 17-5, sealing the political defeat of withdrawal opponents, who had sought to put the plan to a national referendum.
The evacuation of about 9 000 settlers is to begin in July and take eight weeks, Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz told the ministers.
- SAPA