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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Minister quits over Gaza plan

Associated Press

JERUSALEM — The leader of a pro-settler party resigned from the Cabinet on Tuesday, dealing a further blow to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s shaky ruling coalition after the approval of his Gaza withdrawal plan.

With the exit of Housing Minister Effie Eitam, leader of the National Religious Party, or NRP, Sharon no longer commands a majority in parliament, but his opponents don’t appear to have enough votes to bring him down.

Sharon was expected to court the opposition Labor Party, a former coalition partner and more comfortable ally for his plan to withdraw soldiers and some 7,500 settlers from Gaza by the end of 2005.

The prime minister said he is determined to forge ahead, despite stiff opposition from hardliners, including leading members of his Likud Party.

Last week, Sharon fired the pro-settler National Union, one of three coalition partners, to assure a Cabinet majority for the Gaza plan.

On Sunday, the Cabinet agreed in principle to withdraw from Gaza and four small West Bank settlements in four stages by the end of 2005. self end