Sharon fires ministers

2004-06-04 21:44

Jerusalem - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon fired two hard-line government ministers on Friday, trying to create a cabinet majority for his Gaza withdrawal plan at the risk of tearing apart his coalition.

The dismissals underscored Sharon's move to the political centre after a career as a settler patron.

But the political drama at times bordered on farce: one of the ministers went into hiding, preventing delivery of the dismissal letter and threatening to delay Sunday's cabinet vote on the Gaza plan.

The firings take effect only 48 hours after they have been received in person, and Sharon won't have a cabinet majority for his Gaza plan until the two ministers from the National Union Party are formally dismissed.

Israeli media reported late on Friday that efforts to reach a compromise to end the crisis were continuing.

Tourism minister Benny Elon's whereabouts remained a mystery after the start of the Jewish Sabbath on Friday evening.

Some media reports said he had gone to a settlement in Gaza; others said he was in the West Bank.

Showdown looms on Sunday

His party colleague, transport minister Avigdor Lieberman, also attempted to dodge the dismissal letter, but was tracked down at his gym.

Elon said he would do everything possible to evade Sharon's messengers and scuttle the vote.

"He has not yet given me the letter and my dismissal has not yet taken effect," he told Israel Radio.

A showdown was expected on Sunday morning.

Israel Radio said Elon intended to attend the cabinet meeting. However, a government official said Elon "is not going to be at the meeting, he's fired".

Gaza settlers planned to surround the prime minister's office on Sunday to rally opposition to Sharon.

Sharon, once the main builder of Jewish settlements, is now staking his credibility on removing all 21 settlements from the Gaza Strip.

'No future for 7 500 settlers'

"There is no other possibility. I have undertaken this mission and I will carry it out. I will put it through," Sharon was quoted as saying in Friday's Maariv daily.

After nearly four years of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, Sharon has concluded there is no future for 7 500 Jewish settlers who live among 1.3 million Palestinians in the volatile Gaza Strip.

His plan calls for a pullout from Gaza and four settlements in the West Bank over four stages by the end of next year.

Sharon wants to trade Gaza for the main settlement blocs in the West Bank, where most of the 230 000 Jewish settlers live.

- AP