Shalom: no more pullouts
צילום: ישראל הדרי
Silvan’s post-pullout plan
Likud activists gather in Tel Aviv, say Israel must ensure large settlements blocs stay inside Israel after disengagement; Foreign Minister Shalom: Labor won’t stay till end of term
TEL AVIV - Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom presented his post-disengagement plan to Likud supporters at a pre-Pesah meeting in Tel Aviv.
The plan calls for Israel to retain large settlement blocs and strategic areas of the West Bank, and Jerusalem to remain the united capital of Israel.
Palestinians will have no right of return and Israel will fight an uncompromising war on terror.
Likud: breaking apart
"We must remember that we can’t count on the Labor Party in the long term. Anyone who believes Labor will be here until (Israel’s next scheduled election at) the end of 2006 is mistaken. We must be ready for elections,” said Shalom.
The Likud has just about broken apart. We must do everything possible to preserve the Likud, and unity along the way. It won’t be easy, but it is possible.
Shalom warned that if the Likud doesn’t emphasize social and economic issues, then Shas could wind up ‘stealing’ votes from Likud.
No more withdrawals
Shalom also adopted the view of Finance Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the Likud would “not lend its hand to another disengagement from more of the homeland” after leaving Gaza this summer.
Shalom said he spoke to Prime Minister Sharon earlier Sunday, and said the prime minister asked him to tell supporters there would be no further withdrawals.
“Sharon asked me to tell you tonight that he has no intention, now or ever, to conduct another withdrawal.
The mere mention of Sharon’s named evoked boos from the crowd, and and cries of “we don’t believe Sharon.”
Rivlin attacks
Knesset Speak Reuven Rivlin slammed the Likud leadership, saying, “Pesah is a holiday that calls for national soul searching. I want leaders that can lead a party with vision, with hope for the future.”
