IDF Chief of Staff Yaalon: ‘I considered resigning immediately after the false allegations of Defense Minister Mofaz. The affair has damaged the IDF and I have had to persaude officers not to resign in protest’ Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee expresses confidence in Chief of Staff and seeks explanation from Prime Minister Sharon about why General Yaalon’s term was cut short
Culture
THE DAY AFTER
Israel Releases 500 Palestinian Prisoners In Good Will Gesture Sharon Aide Weisglass: ‘Current Disengagement Is Only One Of The Cards At Present, No Political Negotiations On Roadmap Unless Palestinians Dismantle Terror Organizations’ Likud ‘Rebels’: ‘We Will Try And Topple Sharon Government Over State Budget, Unless Prime Minister Agrees To National Referendum On Withdrawal’
CABINET SEALS DISENGAGEMENT
Cabinet Gives Green Light To Gaza Withdrawal Settler Leaders: ‘We Are Not Giving Up; The Campaign Is Also To Forestall Future Withdrawals From Judea and Samaria’ Cabinet Approves New Route For Security Fence, Which Now Includes 7% of Palestinian Territory
THIS WEEK – 18.02.05
A Review Of The Main News Stories in Israel Over the Past Seven Days – DISENGAGEMENT – After Knesset Vote, Cabinet and Budget Is Also In The Bag Settlers: ‘We May Have Lost the Battle In The Knesset And Cabinet, But We’ll Win In The Streets’ CHIEF OF STAFF FUROR Defense Minister Mofaz May Regret Decision To Oust General Yaalon
HISTORIC VOTE – SHARON THREATENED
The Knesset Passes Crucial Compensation Law For Gaza Withdrawal Death Threats To Prime Minister Sharon As Withdrawal Plan Gathers Steam
IDF CHIEF OF STAFF ‘FIRED’
Defense Minister Mofaz Refuses To Extend Chief Of Staff’s Term Defense Minister’s Step Is Being Viewed As ‘Slap In the Face’ To General Yaalon
JEWISH TERROR?
PM Sharon: ‘I’m Not Afraid Of Jewish Terror Threats To Me – Final Cabinet Vote On Withdrawal Next Sunday!’ MK Eitam: ‘Sharon Is Manipulating Incitement By Jewish Extremists To Arouse Public Opinion Against Withdrawal’ Warnings: ‘We Got Rabin, We’ll Get Sharon!’
REFERENDUM CLASH!
PM Sharon: ‘No National Referendum On Disengagement; Those Who Warn Of Civil War Are Trying to Block Gaza Evacuation’ Knesset Speaker Rivlin: ‘There Is A Real Danger of Civil War, If No Referendum’ Foreign Minister Shalom: ‘I Will Lead All-Out Campaign For Referendum’
RABIN DEJA VU
Cabinet Minister Sheetrit: ‘There Is A Clear And Present Danger From Jewish Fanatics; High Time To Clamp Down!’ MK Aylon: ‘Huge Knesset Demo Was Just A Warm-Up For What’s In Store; However, We Categorically Oppose Any Violence!’ MK Benizri: ‘Shas Party Rules Out National Referendum On Withdrawal’
SETTLERS PROTEST – SHARON DEFIANT
Angry Settlers: ‘We Pledge To Do All We Can, Short Of Violence, To Halt The Withdrawal!’ Sharon Cabinet Decides To Hand Back Control Of Four Palestinian Towns Israeli Officials: ‘Iraqi and Palestinian Elections Offer Historic Opportunities For Democracy And Peace’