No delay in Gaza pull-out

2005-07-03 21:40

Jerusalem - Israel's cabinet on Sunday easily defeated a proposal to postpone next month's pullout from Gaza and part of the West Bank, but the debate highlighted deep splits among the people over the withdrawal.

Ahead of the cabinet meeting in the prime minister's office, the 21 ministers gathered on an upper floor of the building and were fitted for bulletproof vests by Israel's Shin Bet security service - protection against possible attack by extremists among the withdrawal opponents.

The Shin Bet will assess the level of threat daily, and instruct the ministers on when to wear the vests, defence officials said on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns.

The 18-3 Cabinet vote found Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the author of the pullout, opposing finance minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a powerful rival who was once premier and wants the job again.

As the mid-August start date nears, opponents are stepping up their campaign.

Though Sharon says the pullout will strengthen Israel's hold on its main West Bank settlement blocs, settlers and their backers believe he will be forced into further pullbacks if he goes ahead with this one.

Also, the Orthodox Jews dominating the opposition believe the government cannot relinquish any part of God-given biblical Israel.

The "disengagement", the government term for the pullout, would mark the first time Israel removes veteran settlements from the West Bank or Gaza.

All 21 Gaza settlements and four in the West Bank are to be emptied.

Opposition tactics range from harmless orange ribbons on car antennas to blocking highways in sit-down strikes and attacking Palestinians in Gaza.

Recent polls show an increase in support for the withdrawal after a steady erosion.

A poll published on Friday showed that support climbed to 62% from 53% in early June.

At least eight settler families have moved out of their homes in the 25 settlements in recent days, including two in Gaza and six in the West Bank.

If growing numbers of families leave voluntarily before the government's deadline, withdrawal opponents could be weakened considerably.

- AP