Israel's Gaza withdrawal 'legal'

ISRAEL'S Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a Gaza withdrawal plan is constitutional, removing the last legal obstacle to this summer's pullout.

The 11-judge panel rejected 12 petitions by opponents to the withdrawal from all Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements, ruling the pull-out does not violate the settlers' human rights.

Ten of the judges upheld four technical matters, but stressed the withdrawal is constitutional. One judge's minority opinion is the law is illegal and should be cancelled.

Yoram Sheftel, an attorney for the settlers, said his expectations were low because the Supreme Court has a tendency of ruling against Jewish settlers.

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni praised the court's decision, and expressed hope the ruling would defuse settler resistance to the evacuation, which is expected to be fierce.

But the ruling comes as opinion polls show that the public's support for the plan - which was initially at more than 70% - is dropping.

Recent polls show support for the plan is wavering around 50%, and opposition has risen slightly.

A new round of Palestinian violence - concentrated mostly in the Gaza Strip - has increased Israeli fears that militants will fire on settlers and security forces during the evacuation.