Cabinet minister Natan Sharansky resigned Monday to protest the planned Gaza withdrawal, which he called a "tragic mistake" that will encourage Palestinian violence and deepen the rift in Israeli society. Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident who was minister for Diaspora Affairs and Jerusalem, served in Cabinets during the past nine years and repeatedly criticized Israeli prime ministers for what he said was their mishandling of negotiations with the Palestinians. In his letter of resignation to Sharon, obtained by The Associated Press, Sharansky wrote that he opposes making unilateral concessions to the Palestinians. "As you know, I was opposed to the disengagement plan from the outset, on the basis of my deep belief that every concession in the peace process made by the Israeli side must be accompanied by democratic reform on the Palestinian side," Sharansky wrote. He told Israel Army Radio that he considers the disengagement plan "a tragic mistake that exacts a high price and also encourages terror."The Paleos are already drawing up their plans to peacefully administer their new territory loot and plunder evrything they can get their hands on and then crank up the seethe-o-meter to ultramax. |
Sharansky immigrated to Israel in 1986, after serving a decade in Soviet prisons. While celebrated abroad, he remained a relatively marginal figure in Israel. He never attracted a large political following and continues to speak in strongly accented Hebrew. By contrast, he won praise from Bush for his recent book "The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror." A hero to world Jewry for his dissident activities in the 1970s, he was included on Time magazine's recent list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Bush, who invited Sharansky to the White House in November, has said Sharansky's book summarizes his feelings about the need to spread democracy around the world. In the interview with Army Radio, Sharansky drew a parallel between his years in the Soviet gulag and Israeli politics. "In order to fight for your ideals, you are sometimes ready to go prison, you are sometimes ready to go into politics, and you also have to be ready to conclude this phase and to look forward," he said. He said he would remain active in Sharon's ruling Likud Party, which has been torn by the Gaza withdrawal, with many legislators and leading activists opposed to the plan. "We now have a very strong position within Likud," Sharansky said, referring to the party rebels. Sharansky did not attend Monday's weekly Cabinet meeting. Sharon told ministers at the start of the meeting that he regretted Sharansky's decision. "I want to express my appreciation to Natan, not for his letter, because I would be very happy if he were to continue in his post," Sharon said. Cabinet Secretary Israel Maimon said the resignation would take effect Wednesday.Since Sharon announced a year ago that he wants to withdraw from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, several Cabinet ministers have been fired or have quit in protest. |