Posted on 11/24/2003 12:04:57 PM PST by anotherview
NOTE: I am posting the same story from Ha'aretz (leftist) and Arutz 7 (far right) so that folks on Free Republic see the whole spectrum of Israeli reaction in one place.
From Ha'aretz:
Last Update: 24/11/2003 19:16
Likud MKs slam Sharon's plans; PM reiterates statements
By Gideon Alon and Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondents, and Haaretz Service
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday repeated his earlier statements he has become convinced there is no reason to wait for a new Palestinian government and that he is not rejecting "unilateral steps, not as concessions, but for the good of the State of Israel."
Sharon, speaking at a special Likud Party meeting, refused to detail the meaning of "unilateral steps for our own good," when he believes these steps should be taken, or whether he intends to evacuate isolated settlements as part of these steps.
The prime minister promised coalition chairman MK Gideon Sa'ar (Likud) that the steps will eventually be brought before the Likud for consideration even before they are brought to the government for debate.
Sharon reiterated his pre-election statements that there would be no escape from the painful concessions needed in order to advance the diplomatic process with the Palestinians.
"It is clear that in the end we will not be sitting in all the locations we are now situated," Sharon said.
"I also told the Palestinians that they do not have an unlimited time frame. I am against the setting of schedules, but there is also a limit to our patience. It is not possible that the terror will continue and that we will be ready to give them what we were ready to give them in the past. There might be a situation in which there won't be any negotiations," Sharon said.
Sharon also denied reports that he intends to alter the planned route of the West Bank separation fence.
Responding to statements made by Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia that he won't meet with Sharon until Israel makes confidence-building gestures towards the Palestinians, Sharon said: "I won't make any gestures just to hold a meeting. If he doesn't want one, then there won't be a meeting."
Likud MKs slam Sharon Likud MKs on Monday criticized Sharon for recent reports according to which he intended to evacuate settlements.
The Likud Knesset faction convened for a special meeting to discuss the reports. Sharon himself participated in the meeting, which was closed to the media.
MK Gilad Erdan told Sharon the Likud party had won 40 mandates in the last elections because of its policies throughout the years, and not because of the prime minister.
Even if Shimon Peres was the leader of the Likud we would still have won 40 mandates, Erdan said.
Fifteen members of Knesset, mostly from the Likud Party, on Monday morning in a meeting of the Yesha Council's Knesset lobby called on Sharon to explicitly deny the reported plans. The meeting was initiated by the lobby's chairman, Likud MK Yehiel Hazan.
Following the meeting, its members decided to act to prevent any action aimed at evacuating settlements. MK Hazan called Sharon's intention a grave historical mistake, and announced that he presented a draft bill that would demand a majority of 80 MKs in the Knesset in order to evacuate settlements.
Sharon says he doesn't rule out discussions on fence route Sharon told his cabinet ministers on Sunday that he does not rule out a renewed discussion on the route of the West Bank security fence.
Sharon's comments followed a call by Justice Minister Yosef Lapid to decide on a new route for the fence, one which can be completed quicker and at a lower cost. The prime minister did however criticize those ministers who publicly condemned the current planned route of the fence.
The prime minister also told the cabinet Sunday that he will be taking "unilateral steps" regarding plans for Israeli redeployment in the territories, but has not yet decided what steps to take.
The plan is expected to include moves to ease the daily life of the Palestinians, without compromising security. Sharon has also hinted that the plan will include the evacuation of settlements.
Once a decision is made, Sharon said, he will bring the plan to the cabinet for approval. In any case, he added, he is not deserting the U.S.-backed road map.
Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) told ministers that following the United Nations' unanimous decision last week to adopt the road map, without Israel's reservations, Israel may encounter numerous problems should it take any unilateral steps.
Labor MK Haim Ramon complained that Sharon was all talk. "In effect, nothing has been done," Ramon told Israel Radio on Sunday. Opposition leader Shimon Peres (Labor) said Sharon could be judged only on his actions, not on his words, the radio reported.
Tourism Minister Binyamin Elon (National Union) said people were putting words into Sharon's mouth by trying to interpret what unilateral steps he might take. "What are unilateral steps?" Elon asked in an interview with Israel Radio. "It could be that he's getting ready to expel all the enemies, and unilaterally dismantle all the [terrorist] infrastructures, as was promised. I don't know."
From Arutz Sheva:
Likud MKs Storm Sharon Over Possible Plan To Uproot Communities
11:04 Nov 24, '03 / 29 Cheshvan 5764
The Likud Knesset faction convened this afternoon for a closed and stormy session with the Prime Minister. Many party MKs attacked Sharon for "straying" from the party platform with his plan for unilateral gestures.
The Likud Knesset faction convened this afternoon for a closed session with Prime Minister Sharon - and though reporters were not allowed in, it was easy to guess that it was to be a stormy one. Several MKs planned to attack Sharon for his apparent plan to uproot isolated Jewish communities in Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza), expel their residents, and recognize a Palestinian state. They said they would emphasize that Sharon has clearly strayed from the Likud party platform, which specifically negates the above elements.
The Yesha Council (Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza) is planning a petition in which signatories commit to trying to bring down the government if the plan is implemented. In the meantime, the Council has expressed disappointment with the right-wing parties - the NRP and the National Union - for what it calls their "relative quiet" at the news of Sharon's intentions. The National Union's Tourism Minister Benny Elon said yesterday that his impression was that Sharon was not planning any such steps, at least not in the near future nor without consulting the government first. In any event, Elon said, "it is obvious that we will not sit in a government that uproots Jewish communities. In such a case, either we go, or Sharon goes."
Staffers of the Prime Minister's Bureau say that the "uprooting of Netzarim and the establishment of a Palestinian state are still far off." They ask the right-wing to judge Sharon "by his actions, not by his declarations."
Deputy Minister Michael Ratzon, asked if he would leave the Likud Party over the alleged plan, said, "Whoever submits such a plan [to uproot Jewish communities] should leave the Likud, not me." MK Inbal Gavrieli said, "I have lost confidence in the Likud Cabinet ministers... They are being dragged along by the 15 left-wingers of [Shinui]." Other Likud MKs who object to Sharon's plan are Gila Gamliel, Yuli Edelstein, Yechiel Chazan, Gilad Erdan, Michael Gorolovsky, and others. Yaakov Edry, on the other hand, said he supports the uprooting of isolated communities in Gaza and turning them into army bases.
MK Chazan, head of the Knesset's Yesha lobby, said he plans to propose legislation that will require a special majority of 80 MKs for any plan to uproot and dismantle Jewish communities.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.