Pullout countdown on

JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has signed evacuation directives Sunday, giving Gaza and northern West Bank settlers five months less a day to leave their homes. The directives were signed after the government approved the disengagement plan earlier in the day by a 17-5 margin. The ministers also voted in favor of the modified West Bank security fence route. The evacuation directives stipulate the area to be evacuated and inform settlers of the evacuation date, July 20, 2005. The State of Israel has taken a difficult decision, but one that brings hopes for a better future, Sharon told Presidents of major Jewish organizations in Jerusalem Sunday evening. Settlers slam decision The Yesha Council, meanwhile, said the ministers who voted in favor of the “transfer of Jews” would be remembered as “those who sowed destruction." Settler rabbis also slammed the government’s decision and said it is invalid, as it contradicts the teachings of the Torah. Although five ministers from Ariel Sharon's own Likud party voted against it - Benjamin Netanyahu, Tzachi Hanegbi, Yisrael Katz, Natan Sharansky and Danny Naveh - the decision passed with the backing of Labor Party and other Likud ministers. Opening the meeting Sunday, Sharon, who was once a leading proponent of the settlement enterprise, suggested he was deciding on the dismantling of Jewish settlements with a heavy heart. "It's not an easy day, it's not a happy day," he said. "But this is a vital move for Israel’s future." Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom reiterated Sharon's sentiments. "I never believed the day would come when I would vote in favor of such a decision," he said. "But after much debate, I decided to vote for the plan. This is an opportunity that must be seized." 'All ministers must back decision' Interior Minister Ophir Pines-Paz said “all the ministers, including those who voted against the disengagement, must back the government’s decision and refrain from advancing ideas such as the national referendum.” Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said the most important issue in his mind is to maintain a continuous settlement evacuation sequence. He estimated the removal of settlements would take about seven weeks in all. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, meanwhile, told ministers that another government session would take place before each evacuation. However, Sunday's cabinet approval allows the evacuation process to get under way, he said. Budget vote could threaten disengagement But even with Cabinet approval to withdraw from Gaza and four West Bank settlements this summer, the next political hurdle facing Sharon will likely be more difficult and could be an obstacle to the disengagement plan. Sharon needs to ensure the Knesset approves the state budge in the vote less than 6 weeks from now, but this task became more difficult over the weekend when Shinui Chairman Yosef Lapid informed the prime minister he could not support it. Meanwhile, Likud "rebels" who oppose the pullout have agreed to meet Monday to decide whether to back the budget. If the budget does not pass, Sharon will be compelled to dissolve Cabinet and form a new government. If he is unable to do so, new Knesset elections would be declared. Although the vote at Sunday's Cabinet meeting was the final obstacle before the disengagement plan goes into motion separate votes will be held in the future for every group of settlements slated for evacuation. Gaza Disengagement Timetable: February 20 – Government approval of disengagement plan. July 20 – From this day forward the government would be able to carry out actual disengagement process. September 1 – Estimated conclusion of Gaza pullout. September 15 – Estimated conclusion of West Bank pullout. -AP contributed to this report See also: Opinion / Goodbye, Gaza by Shimon Schiffer Related Link: Forces participating in evacuation

Pullout countdown on

Settlers have five months less a day to leave homes, after Sharon signs evacuation directives; government approves disengagement plan Sunday