Israeli Cabinet Approves Withdrawal Plan on Condition

The plan was accepted, 14 votes to 7, but before any settlements are evacuated, the cabinet must convene for a second vote. After the meeting, Sharon said, "The Cabinet approved the plan and indicates that Israel will take it’s future into it’s own hands." He continued, "Israel has no intention to wait for the Palestinians. Unless they do not work to cleanse themselves of terror, they will continue to lose. This they understand."

The Plan protects, and will make permanent, the 240,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank.

It has been interpreted that Sharon and the Israeli cabinet reached an agreement to avoid a collapse of the Israeli government – a collapse that may only be delayed until the next vote or crises.

Likud Party members rejected the first draft of the plan during a vote on May 2nd. To obtain a majority and guarantee a victory, Sharon removed two, extreme right cabinet members last Friday (June 4).

Recent polls indicated that public support for the plan has increased.