Military

DATE=10/12/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= ISRAEL / SHARON / PARLIAMENT / L-ONLY

NUMBER=2-319602

BYLINE= LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: Sharon Suffers Parliament Setback on Gaza Pullout Plan

INTRO: The Israeli parliament has rejected Prime Minister Ariel Shoran's speech

outlining his plans for a total withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. VOA's Larry

James reports from Jerusalem on the Knesset (parliament) vote rejecting his traditional state-of-the-nation address at the opening of the winter session.

TEXT: The vote of 53-44 against Mr. Sharon's speech was described by Israeli

media as a ringing rejection and a humiliation for the prime minister. The

Israeli leader's Likud Party holds 40 seats in the Knesset. At least a quarter of the Likkud members voted against accepting his speech outlining his political and economic agenda, in which he spoke of his plans for a total pull out from Gaza and the evacuation of four West Bank settlements near Jenin.

Although the vote was symbolic and without any political consequences, it illustrated

how difficult the road ahead is likely to be for Mr. Sharon. Senior Likud

official Gidon Sar -- who, himself, opposes the Gaza pullout -- says, if the parliament

does approve it, holding the government together will be a real challenge.

/// SAR ACTUALITY ///

As you know, we are in that situation of a minority government since June. I

cannot say there is no political danger. There is a clear political danger.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Two of the six members of the National Religious Party have already pulled out of

the government, over the disengagement plan. The other four have said they will

leave too, rather than be a part of the government, once the debate over the

withdrawal begins in the parliament. N-R-P Knesset member Shaul Yahalon says the only reason the party is still in the government is to keep the pro-disengagement parties from joining the coalition.

/// YAHOLON ACTUALITY ///

If the Labor Party (is) joining Mr. Sharon, it is the last point and the

disengagement will occur surely. Therefore, we prevent ourselves from breaking

down the coalition only because (of) this reason.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Sharon representatives are now busily engaged in talks with other political

parties, to see if a new coalition can be put together, should the current

government fall. Parliament debate on the issue is to begin once the plan is

presented, October 25th. (signed)

NEB/LJ/WD