Israeli minister Sharansky quits over Gaza pullout plan

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2005

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israeli cabinet minister Nathan Sharansky resigned in protest at Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip, his office said.

Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident who is admired by US President George W. Bush, had served as minister without portfolio in the cabinet.

All 8,000 Israeli settlers are due to be pulled out of Gaza during an operation starting in either July or August

A spokeswoman said Sharansky had "opposed the disengagement plan from the beginning on the grounds that he believes any concessions in the peace process should be linked to Palestinian reform".

Sharansky believes the pullout "weakens prospects for building a free Palestinian society" and exacerbates "terrorism", she added.

He...