Israeli parliament approves final step before implementation of Gaza disengagement plan can begin
{{Israel}}
[[File:Israel-Palestine flags.png|thumb|left|160px]]
{{date|February 16, 2005}}
Israel's [[w:Knesset|Knesset]] has voted to approve the compensation package for Israeli settlers who will be impacted by the proposed disengagement from the Gaza Strip. Eight thousand Israelis will be evacuated from the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank removed.

MKs voted 59&ndash;40 to approve a series of measures that will compensate the settlers who face relocation under the plan, with five abstentions from Arab MKs. Prime Minister Sharon's Likud party was split, with 18 MKs voting for it and 17 against.

The $1bn plan will now go before Sharon's cabinet on Sunday, where it is expected to be passed. After that, the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip could begin this summer.

However Sharon's government faces collapse if his budget is not passed by the Knesset by the end of March. If that deadline is not met, elections will be called and the plan may well be stopped.

Last week, Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed a ceasefire after four years of violence.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4272061.stm
 |title=Israeli MPs approve Gaza package
 |author=
 |pub=BBC News
 |date=February 16, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/541235.html
 |title=Compensation law passes 59-40 to advance disengagement
 |author=Gideon Alon, Zvi Zrahiya, and Mazal Mualem
 |pub=Haaretz
 |date=February 16, 2005}}

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[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Israel]]
[[Category:Palestine]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Likud]]
[[Category:Knesset]]
[[Category:Ariel Sharon]]
[[Category:West Bank]]
160px

Israel's Knesset has voted to approve the compensation package for Israeli settlers who will be impacted by the proposed disengagement from the Gaza Strip. Eight thousand Israelis will be evacuated from the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank removed.

MKs voted 59–40 to approve a series of measures that will compensate the settlers who face relocation under the plan, with five abstentions from Arab MKs. Prime Minister Sharon's Likud party was split, with 18 MKs voting for it and 17 against.

The $1bn plan will now go before Sharon's cabinet on Sunday, where it is expected to be passed. After that, the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip could begin this summer.

However Sharon's government faces collapse if his budget is not passed by the Knesset by the end of March. If that deadline is not met, elections will be called and the plan may well be stopped.

Last week, Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed a ceasefire after four years of violence.
Middle East Israel Palestine Politics and conflicts Likud Knesset Ariel Sharon West Bank