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Hey, monkeyshine. I don't think so, about Sharon. Why would he want to tick off the rest of the right? It is the leftist Rabin nuts in Israel that want this. You know all the secular liberals in Tel Aviv can't stand the dati "settlers" in Gush Katif, etc. It seems that once again, the Israeli government is Israel's worst enemy with regard to politics.

Well then why announce the withdrawal in advance? Why a 24 month time frame? Why not secretly plan for it, and receive approval from the USA in advance?

Seriously, Sharon would likely consult with the USA before announcing such a plan, and not spring this on the USA in a surprise move, if he thought it was a serious plan.

I think he sees something not widely reported, which is that while most nations and many people in the west have been verbally abusing Israel about the occupation and settlements, the truth is that without occupation nobody else will deal with the very real internal social, culturual, leadership problems the Palestinians have. And without Israel, this problem becomes the Egyptian, Jordanian, UN and USA's problem - and maybe the EU too.

In other words, he has the chance to turn the tables, to force these parties to act on their own self interest - which in turn will force them to be more serious - and that includes putting up a crapload of money and doing a lot more to stop terrorism. Calling on Israel to withdraw, without seriously considering the consequences, is foolhearty and Sharon is calling them on it.

Just my two cents, anyways. I could be wrong.