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Foreign correspondents covering the events in Gaza reported that schools in Gaza settlements were closed for the day so children could show their opposition to the proposals. Despite the family atmosphere outside the Knesset, there is no mistaking the seriousness of the settlers' opposition, our correspondent says. Religious settlers believe the whole of the West Bank and Gaza Strip was given to the Jews by God. Talk of civil war and betrayal have followed the prime minister, who has received threats, our correspondent adds. "When you push someone into a corner, you cannot predict what he will do," settler Aharon Tzur told Reuters news agency. "The man who helped us... is betraying us now." Israeli legislators have voted in favor of the controversial Sharon's plan to pull Jewish settlers from Gaza. On Monday, Prime Minister Sharon urged the Knesset to support and approve his plan. In an emotional and historical address to the Knesset, the Prime Minister acknowledged acknowledged the very difficult decision he had to take. Sharon stated: "I know the implications and impact of the Knesset’s decision on the lives of thousands of Israelis who have lived in the Gaza Strip for many years, who were sent there on behalf of the Governments of Israel, and who built homes there, planted trees and grew flowers, and who gave birth to sons and daughters, who have not known any other home. I am well aware of the fact that I sent them and took part in this enterprise, and many of these people are my personal friends." But he said the evacuation would "decrease hostility" and lead Israel "forward on the path to peace with the Palestinians". Later, the chairman of the opposition Labor Party, Shimon Peres, reaffirmed his support for the plan. Labor's backing was expected to carry the vote. A further bill on compensation for Jewish settlers is expected to follow. Israel has occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip since capturing them in the 1967 war. It has settled about 400,000 Jewish citizens there, among a 3.5-million-strong Palestinian population. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel does not accept this.  GAZA
STATISTICS
Palestinian pop:
1.3m
Area:
360 sq km
In poverty:
75%
Unemployed:
37%
Under 15:
49%
Pop growth:
4% per year
Malnutrition:
13.3%
Israeli settlers:
About 8,000
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is determined to evacuate approximately 8,000 Jewish settlers from 21 heavily-fortified enclaves/settlements in the Gaza Strip, which Israel has built up since occupying the Arab territories during 1966 six day war. This will also include the withdrawal of the large numbers of Israeli troops who are currently guarding the settlements, which are constantly under fire and attacks from armed Palestinian groups, militias and civilians in the Gaza trip.
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Mr. Sharon explained to the Israeli government, as well as to thousands of protesters in the streets of Jerusalem that the withdrawal is the best way to reach and achieve total security for the Israelis in the absence of meaningful peace negotiations with the Palestinians and the Syrians who are a major key player in frequent Palestinian Intifadah movement in Gaza and neighboring areas. The withdrawal will be regionally large, however the Israeli forces will keep complete control of Gaza's land and sea borders and airspace. The Israeli forces will also maintain the capability and legal right to renter Palestinian territory when they want. The withdrawal will include four isolated Jewish settlements to be evacuated in the northern West Bank, but Israel will cement its grip on dozens of other settlements there. Mr. Sharon made it clear to the Israeli people and his political opponents that under a separate initiative, most Palestinian residents will be enclosed behind Israel's West Bank barrier. It will be the first time Israel has remove state-sanctioned settlements since it gave the Sinai peninsula back to Egypt in 1982. What dilemma does Mr Sharon face? Mr. Sharon's own Likud party has twice rejected his withdrawal plan, but the Prime Minister has pledged to soldier on, because Israelis in general support his plan, which has been already approved by the Israeli Cabinet, although some right-wing, pro-settler ministers resigned in protest. The next stage is for the plan to be presented to the Israeli parliament, or Knesset, on 25 October, with MKs to debate and vote on the plan in principle the following day. Although he has lost his majority in the Knesset - because of pro-settler dissent - and faces a rebellion in his own party, Mr. Sharon is still expected to win. Foreign observers believe that The Israeli Prime Minister can count on the opposition Labor party for support and the anti-religious Shinui party which has stayed in the coalition. The evacuations are to be carried out in phases, and - under a deal with skeptical ministers - each phase will require approval with a cabinet vote. Meanwhile, Mr. Sharon faces the specter of the possible collapse of his government. To regain his parliamentary majority, Mr. Sharon will try to bring Labor - or possibly another religious party like Shas - into government. However, Likud leaders have ruled out a deal with Labor and Shinui would refuse to co-habit with Shas. Without a solid parliamentary majority, the biggest hurdle for Mr. Sharon might be getting next year's budget through the Knesset. Fresh elections would mean the whole disengagement plan would be put on ice. Where does this leave the Palestinians? They are in a difficult position. They welcome any removal of Israeli settlements which cause great disruption in the lives. But they are also furious that Israel has left them out of consultations on disengagement. They want a return to the internationally-backed peace plan know as the roadmap. However, Israel refuses to deal with the current Palestinian leadership. Many Palestinians fear that disengagement from Gaza is simply a smokescreen to allow Israel to hold onto as much territory as it can in the West Bank while sacrificing the small and pretty insignificant Gaza Strip. These fears appeared to be well grounded when Mr Sharon's top advisor described the plan as "formaldehyde... so there will not be a political process with the Palestinians". Although he later claimed to have been quoted out of context, Dov Weisglass told Haaretz newspaper: "The significance of the plan is the freezing of the peace process... all with a [US] presidential blessing." What is the current situation in the Gaza Strip? The Gaza Strip has been occupied by Israel since it captured the territory from Egyptian control in the 1967 war. Under the Oslo Accords signed in 1993, Israel handed over control of about 80% of the territory to the Palestinian Authority to administer. Continues on the next page
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