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.