Netanyahu quits over Israel's pullout plan
{{date|August 7, 2005}}

[[File:Benjamin Netanyahu.jpg|thumb|right|140px|Benjamin Netanyahu]]
[[Israel|Israeli]] Finance Minster {{w|Benjamin Netanyahu}} has resigned from the cabinet Sunday to protest against the upcoming Israeli withdrawal from the {{w|Gaza Strip}} and part of the {{w|West Bank}} according to a ministry spokesman.

Netanyahu submitted a resignation letter to {{w|Ariel Sharon}} that he said counts as his vote against the pullout plan. He also told reporters, "I understand the ambition to leave Gaza. I can't be part of a move that I believe is wrong, a move that will endanger security and divide the people."

Sharon pushed for the pullout within his highly split {{w|Likud|Likud Party}}, which in a recent 17 to 5 vote, approved the evacuation plan. The Israeli Army will assist in evacuation efforts of the first group of settlers in {{w|Netzarim}}, {{w|Kfar Darom}}, and {{w|Morag}}.

Sharon named the Vice Prime Minister {{w|Ehud Olmert}} as the new finance minister.

The forced evacuations, or "disengagement", of settlers is due to start after August 15. There are nearly 8,500 Jewish residents who live within fortified fences in Gaza. The settlements are surrounded by an Arab Palestinian population of approximately 1.5 million.

In a Sunday news conference, Netanyahu said the current evacuation plan has similarities to the 1993 {{w|Oslo Accords}}. In that accord, Netanyahu had drawn criticism in his role as Prime Minister for what some say was a failure to adequately insure Israeli security. The {{w|Palestine|Palestinians}} gained more autonomy over some parts of the occupied territories in the accords. 

Netanyahu said of the Gaza withdrawal, the Palestinian leadership is again being rewarded without concession.

The resignation is seen as a step by Netanyahu towards challenging Sharon for the leadership of the Likud party once the pullout is over. Netanyahu may have an opportunity to win back the party by placing himself in the national camp.

Netanyahu was one of the most vocal in claiming Saddam was preparing "Weapons of Mass Destruction" and he repeatedly urged America to invade Iraq on that basis.

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-08-07T185907Z_01_L0788381_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-MIDEAST-DC.XML
|title=Netanyahu quits as Israel approves Gaza pullout
|author=Tostevin, Matthew
|pub=Reuters
|date=August 7, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4129448.stm
|title= Netanyahu quits over Gaza pullout
|author=
|pub=BBC
|date=August 7, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/07/AR2005080700308.html 
|title=Israeli Finance Minister Resigns Over Gaza 
|author=Scott Wilson
|pub=The Washington Post
|date=August 7, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-08-07-voa26.cfm 
|title= Israeli Cabinet Approves First Stage of Gaza Pullout as Netanyahu Resigns
|author=Robert Berger 
|pub=Voice of America
|date=August 7, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.andrewbernstein.net/articles/04_netanyahu_02.htm 
|title=The Case for Toppling Saddam 
|author=Benjamin Netanyahu
|pub=AndrewBernstein.net
|date=September 20, 2002}}

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[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Israel]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Benjamin Netanyahu]]
[[Category:Likud]]
[[Category:Weapons of mass destruction]]
[[Category:Ariel Sharon]]
[[Category:West Bank]]

[[pl:Dymisja Benjamina Natenjahu]]
Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Finance Minster Gaza Strip and part of the  according to a ministry spokesman.

Netanyahu submitted a resignation letter to  that he said counts as his vote against the pullout plan. He also told reporters, "I understand the ambition to leave Gaza. I can't be part of a move that I believe is wrong, a move that will endanger security and divide the people."

Sharon pushed for the pullout within his highly split Likud Party, which in a recent 17 to 5 vote, approved the evacuation plan. The Israeli Army will assist in evacuation efforts of the first group of settlers in Kfar Darom, and .

Sharon named the Vice Prime Minister  as the new finance minister.

The forced evacuations, or "disengagement", of settlers is due to start after August 15. There are nearly 8,500 Jewish residents who live within fortified fences in Gaza. The settlements are surrounded by an Arab Palestinian population of approximately 1.5 million.

In a Sunday news conference, Netanyahu said the current evacuation plan has similarities to the 1993 Palestine|Palestinians gained more autonomy over some parts of the occupied territories in the accords. 

Netanyahu said of the Gaza withdrawal, the Palestinian leadership is again being rewarded without concession.

The resignation is seen as a step by Netanyahu towards challenging Sharon for the leadership of the Likud party once the pullout is over. Netanyahu may have an opportunity to win back the party by placing himself in the national camp.

Netanyahu was one of the most vocal in claiming Saddam was preparing "Weapons of Mass Destruction" and he repeatedly urged America to invade Iraq on that basis.
Politics and conflicts Israel Middle East Benjamin Netanyahu Likud Weapons of mass destruction Ariel Sharon West Bank