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Netanyahu Opposes Gaza Pullout Phases
Israeli Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told Likud party members that the planned withdrawal from Gaza and four West Bank settlements "will come up again for a Cabinet vote, and how will I vote? I will vote against."
According to a Reuters report, Netanyahu's view is that the pullout only emboldens Palestinian militants:
"The Palestinians have bought Hamas' argument that it and only it has made us run, and as a result ... Hamas is growing stronger," he said, referring to the Islamic militant group seeking Israel's destruction.
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The Cabinet has already approved the plan for Israel's first removal of settlements from the territories, but Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has agreed to let ministers vote again separately to authorize each of the four stages of the pullout.
As things now stand in the Cabinet, Sharon is guaranteed a majority in each of these votes, regardless of Netanyahu's stance, which is interpreted primarily as the latest challenge to Sharon's leadership in the Likud Party.
Sharon's controversial plan is to remove all the settlements from Gaza by August.
Hardliners like Netanyahu are expected to try to depose Sharon or force early national elections after the pullout. Editor's note:
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