Israeli Finance Minister Resigns Over Gaza (Benjamin Netanyahu)

[Pirate Smile]

JERUSALEM - Israeli Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resigned from his post Sunday to protest next week's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank, a ministry spokesman said.

Netanyahu, seen as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's biggest political rival within the Likud Party, submitted a letter of resignation during the weekly Cabinet meeting Sunday, said the Finance Ministry spokesman, Eli Yosef. The resignation will take effect within 48 hours.

After Netanyahu submitted his resignation, the Cabinet gave its final approval to the first stage of the Gaza pullout — the dismantling of the isolated Netzarim, Kfar Darom and Morag settlements.

Israel plans to begin removing some 9,000 settlers from their homes, starting in days. All 21 Israeli settlements in Gaza and four in the West Bank are marked for dismantling.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050807/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_netanyahu;_ylt=AqPiQl0yKWX9my3LazaQ1Res0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3b2NibDltBHNlYwM3MTY-

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Will this break up the Sharon government?

Will a vote of no confidence come soon? Is it Netanyahu's plan to run against Sharon for PM and to stop the resettling of Jews from Gaza?

[Pirate Smile]

2. Here is what the article states:

"Netanyahu is expected to challenge Sharon for party leadership ahead of the next election.

The Tel Aviv stock Exchange's Maof index dropped nearly 3 percent within minutes after the resignation was announced. Netanyahu led efforts to streamline the Israeli economy, often adopting harsh measures to implement his austerity plan."

[caitlyn]

5. There have been several votes of confidence...

...over disengagement. All failed. Prime Minister Sharon has a solid majority both in the Knesset and in public opinion for disengagement. He will likely finish his term, which ends in November of next year.

[liberalismresurgent]

3. Why did he resign?

Because Sharon refused to steal Gaza? interesting.

[caitlyn]

7. Nope.

Bibi pulled out of Hebron as part of the Wye River Accords, which he signed. The Israeli right has never forgiven him for that.

I'll tell you why in two words: political opportunism. He sees this as a way of launching a campaign to replace Ariel Sharon as Likud party leader and Prime Minister.

[Fight_n_back]

4. You know you are about as right wing as can be when

you make Arial Sharon look like the moderate.

[caitlyn]

6. How much do you really know about Ariel Sharon?

For example, did you know that in 1974, when he started his own Knesset faction (which later merged into Likud) the first man he asked to be #2 on his list was Yossi Sarid? Yossi Sarid went on to lead Meretz, the furthest left party (excluding Arab parties) in the Knesset. The two men are still good friends. Another close friend of the Prime Minister is his rival and Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres.

Did you know that when Israeli settlers were forcibly removed from Yamit, the largest Jewish settlement in Sinai, in order to implement the Camp David accords with Egypt, the IDF forces were commanded by none other than General Ariel Sharon?

Did you know that Ariel Sharon was the first Israeli Prime Minister to name an Israeli Arab to his Cabinet?

Sharon is anything but a one dimensional right-winger like President Bush. He has been left, center, and right during his political career. He is, above all else, a Zionist who will do whatever he believes is right to protect and defend Israel. OK, his financial policies are abominable and are creating poverty like Israel has never seen. On the Palestinians his views *ARE* moderate.

[Fight_n_back]

8. To quote you

"OK, his financial policies are abominable and are creating poverty like Israel has never seen"

He is not a moderate unless you consider John McCain an American moderate.

He appointed an Israeli Arab to his cabinet because that is the way that cabinets in parlimentary democracies work. You get a certain number of seats in the Knesset and you get a cabinet position.

I have never supported a Likud candidate and Sharon doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies. In Israel I wouldn't even be on the left because I support Labor Labor are the moderates..

I took a non patronizing tone on purpose because I haven't had enough coffee or I would have countered your condescension with a list of his atrocities.

[meppie-meppie not]

9. well get in line because I have a laundry list of them as well.

[NVMojo]

10. here's something weird, do a google on Gaza Strip and

casino and then do a google on Netanyahu and casino or Eilat. It's got me curious about the long range community development that is planned for Israel if the laws can be changed or Palestine.