Israeli Cabinet defeats proposal to delay Gaza withdrawal

JERUSALEM – Israel’s Cabinet easily defeated a proposal to postpone next month’s pullout from Gaza at a meeting Sunday that reflected fears of violent opposition to the withdrawal – each minister was fitted for a bulletproof vest.

The 18-3 Cabinet vote found Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the author of the pullout, opposing Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a powerful rival who was once premier and wants the job again.

As the mid-August start date for the withdrawal nears, opponents are stepping up their campaign. Though Sharon says the pullout will strengthen Israel’s hold on its main West Bank settlement blocs, settlers and their backers believe he will be forced into further pullbacks if he goes ahead with this one. Also, the Orthodox Jews dominating the opposition believe the government cannot relinquish any part of what they consider God-given biblical Israel.

The withdrawal would mark the first time Israel removes veteran settlements from the West Bank or Gaza. All 21 Gaza settlements and four in the West Bank are to be emptied of their approximately 9,000 residents.

Opposition tactics range from harmless orange ribbons on car antennas to blocking highways in sitdown strikes and attacking Palestinians in Gaza.

The 21 ministers gathered on an upper floor of the prime minister’s office just before the Cabinet met and were measured for the vests by Israel’s Shin Bet security service.

The Shin Bet will assess daily the level of threat from Jewish extremists opposed to the withdrawal, and will instruct ministers on when to wear the vests, defense officials said on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns.

Recent polls show an increase in support for the withdrawal after a steady erosion. A poll published Friday showed support climbed to 62 percent from 53 percent in early June. Opposition was down to 31 percent from 38 percent.

At least eight settler families have moved out of their homes in the 25 settlements in recent days, including two in Gaza and six in the West Bank.