Mob attacks minister over Gaza pull-out

Israeli finance minister Benjamin Netanyahu was attacked at a wedding party by a group of people opposed to the Gaza withdrawal plan, it was reported today.

Hardliner Netanyahu has voted in parliament and Cabinet in favour of prime minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to withdraw from all Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements by the end of this year.

Some extremist Jews have pledged to oppose the ”disengagement” plan even at the cost of going to prison, and threats of violence have been made against Sharon and other Cabinet ministers who support the pullout.

According to press reports and a rabbi who was updated with details from the incident, Netanyahu arrived at the wedding last night and was verbally and physically attacked by a group of extremist youths.

The youths threw unidentified objects at the former prime minister and slashed the tyres of his armoured car. The group also screamed insults at the minister.

Earlier in the week, education minister Limor Livnat was also assaulted by a group of extremists who opposed the pullout plan.

Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted Netanyahu as saying after the incident that although he understood the pain of those who opposed the plan “there is no room for violence in the public argument”.