Sharon treads softly with new Gaza withdrawal plan

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will ask his Cabinet to vote only on the first stage of his Gaza new withdrawal plan – the evacuation of three small settlements – in hopes of securing the support of undecided ministers, officials said today.

Sharon apparently backed away from submitting the entire plan for approval because he has had trouble securing a majority in his 23-member Cabinet. Earlier this month, Sharon’s Likud Party rejected a Gaza withdrawal, leaving the prime minister politically weakened.

The Cabinet is due to debate the plan on Sunday. It calls for a gradual withdrawal in four phases.

However, Sharon will ask for a vote only on the first stage, which calls for the evacuation of three of the 21 Jewish settlements in Gaza, the officials.

They said three key ministers, including Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalon, agreed to support the first phase, giving Sharon the majority he needs. Netanyahu and Shalom have said they oppose a withdrawal from all of Gaza.

The support of Netanyahu, a former prime minister and Sharon’s biggest rival in Likud, is crucial for the plan’s acceptance.

Sharon previously had secured the support of only 11 Cabinet members. Eight said they opposed the plan, while four, including Netanyahu and Shalom, were undecided, but leaning toward a “no” vote.

Ministers were to receive a copy of the plan late today.

With Sharon facing an uncertain Cabinet vote, there was growing speculation about his political future.

The Maariv newspaper quoted sources close to Netanyahu as saying he would have the backing of a majority of parliament members if he were to challenge for the leadership.

Also, Sharon’s key coalition partner, the centrist Shinui Party, said it would reconsider its future in the government if the plan does not go ahead.

“We will convene our institutions, hold a debate, and decide,” Shinui Minister Joseph Paritzky said.