Israeli parliament approves Sharon withdrawal plan
16/02/2005 - 18:13:29The Israeli parliament gave final approval tonight to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements.
In a 59 to 40 vote, the Knesset approved a bill to compensate the 9,000 settlers who will be affected by the withdrawal. Passage of the bill, which had been expected, marked the final legislative approval required before the plan can be implemented in the summer.
The vote was not the final hurdle for the plan.
Sharon still needs to pass a budget by March 31 – a far from done deal – or his government will collapse, possibly taking the withdrawal plan down with it, and new elections will be held.
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