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The Knesset on Wednesday afternoon approved the first of three readings of the disengagement plan's implementation bill, which includes compensation for settlers evacuated from the Gaza Strip and north West Bank.

Sixty-four MKs voted for the bill, 44 voted against and nine abstained. Most Likud rebels voted against the bill.

Under the disengagement plan, Israel is to completely evacuate the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank by the end of 2005. The legislation gives Prime Minister Ariel Sharon the authority to issue a decree setting a deadline for the pullout after the cabinet decides on the evacuation of the settlements, which have been divided into four groups. The government has set March 1 as the deadline for the Knesset to pass the law.

The government is budgeting NIS 2.2 billion for disengagement in 2005, but costs are expected to rise to as high as NIS 5b. after the IDF incurs redeployment costs. The financing for the evacuation was removed from the 2005 state budget and the evacuation costs are to be financed next year by expanding the budget deficit by 0.4 percent in 2005.

Settlers are to receive an average compensation of $300,000, with an extra $30,000 bonus for those who settle in the Negev or Galilee. Farmers are also to be entitled to alternative land in those areas and compensation for the value of their businesses.

Shortly before the Knesset convened to vote on the implementation bill, the government decided to delay Wednesday's planned vote on the budget and to convene a special session Thursday to continue budget negotiations.

Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was still unable to secure a majority after holding talks with coalition and opposition parties throughout the day.

If the vote is to be delayed until next week, this could present complications because Netanyahu has threatened to resign by Monday unless Sharon gives in to his ultimatum to hold a national referendum on the disengagement plan.

Sharon and Netanyahu met with various Knesset factions and individual MKs on Wednesday morning to try and garner support for the budget.

Sharon called opposition leader Sharon Peres on Wednesday morning and asked for a list of changes in the budget that would enable Labor to vote in favor of it or at least abstain. Peres replied that instead, Sharon should delay the vote until next week. Peres said that Sharon did not rule out that possibility.

"I don't see how to compile such a list in so little time," Peres said "If Bibi [Netanyahu] has a majority, he should pass the budget. If he doesn't have a majority and he needs us, he will need a different budget. We don't want to topple the government but our vote is not automatic either."

Sharon's associates have said that the budget could be turned into a motion of confidence, which could force Labor to vote for it.

Sharon and Netanyahu met in a forum of 15 Treasury and Prime Minister's Office officials on Tuesday, but did not discuss political matters. The same group of 15 is to meet Wednesday afternoon.

"The prime minister intends to tell Netanyahu that he wants him in the government, but don't expect him to agree to Netanyahu's demand for a referendum and don't expect him to use the word please," a senior Sharon associate said.

Sharon's advisers have been saying for weeks that no decisions will be made about whether to hold a referendum or whether to expand the coalition until after the two bills are passed. Sharon is to convene his closest advisers at his Negev ranch on Thursday for what is expected to be a fateful meeting.



 http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1099371832122

 As believers in Christ we really need to pray against this demonic palestinian (arab) state in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank they are trying to push for 2005. Lets pray that God will give the Knesset and Ariel Sharon the wisdom and knowledge on what to do. And that Sharon will not give into arab authorities. God forbid if this happens next year my heart will be grieving with the jewish people as it grieves now just by the thought of it all.

               To pray over the enemies of Israel

We need to pray Psalm 109.29 over the enemies of Israel.
Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame and let them cover themselves with their own confusion as with a mantle.

Psalm 55:9 Destroy O Lord and divide their tongues: For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Michael