[IMRA: It should be noted that when retreat proponents make the argument
that thanks to the retreat from Gaza that the IDF is able to act without
foreign pressure - this while they know full well that the IDF has been
barred from launching a truly effective campaign out of fear of foreign
pressure - that they are genuinely making the claim.

In point of fact, the Olmert spin team has devoted considerable resources on
getting this message out - relying on the Israeli public's not noticing that
reality does not coincide with the message.]
======================

Ramon: Realignment more relevant than ever

For first time Kadima ministers publicly question realignment plan. Housing
Minister Sheetrit says he opposes unilateral moves, and other Kadima
ministers back him up. But Justice Minister Ramon supports Olmert:
'Considering Gaza situation, realignment more relevant now than ever'
Ronny Sofer YNET 11 July 206
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3273710,00.html

Following the confrontations Monday in which Kadima members questioned the
realignment plan, Justice Minister Haim Ramon said that the plan to
unilaterally withdraw from West Bank territories is more relevant now than
ever, "and whoever thinks otherwise is mistaken."

On Monday Housing Minister Meir Sheetrit (Kadima) dared to question the plan
publicly, just hours after Olmert declared his intentions to implement it as
he promised on the campaign trail.

According to Ramon, "The realignment and the disengagement were borne out of
the understanding that Israel has no partner on the other
side. The events of the past few days just prove this. Since Israel can't be
held hostage by Hamas and Qassam rockets, it must act according to its
interests."

Minister Sheetrit was the first of Kadima's lawmakers to publicly contest
the realignment plan. "Considering what is happening in Gaza," the minister
told the Knesset Channel, "opposition to the realignment is growing. I
believe in peace, but that it should be achieved by agreement, through
negotiations. I believe we need patience, until there is someone to talk to.
I don't believe unilateral steps should be made. Even (former) Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon opposed more Israeli retreats."

Olmert's office tried to put a political spin on Sheetrit's commentary. "The
timing of Sheetrit's declaration was very calculated. He declared he would
compete against Ehud Olmert for the leadership of Kadima," Olmert's
associates said.

However Sheetrit was not alone in his sentiments, and after his interview
was broadcast, Kadima ministers Gideon Ezra and Zeev Boim also broke their
silence and raised questions regarding the plan.

A senior official in the Prime Minister's Office said that "Sheetrit is
supposed to assemble today a large political convention. With that, I am
confident and sure that when the subject of realignment is put to vote in
the Cabinet and Knesset, Minister Sheetrit won't be rebelling and will act
according to his obligations to the faction."

However, Sheetrit was not planning any convention, and as far as it
appeared, the public altercation was sparked by genuine ideological
disagreement. Sheetrit was speaking from the Knesset Channel studios, and
his comments were not written in advance but were made in response to Olmert's
statements promising to push forward the realignment.

'It's an evolution of this war'

However, a senior source in Olmert's office denied claims of a possible
"revolt" against the realignment plan, saying "cabinet ministers have their
own opinions; this is legitimate, but in no way is this is a rebellion. The
prime minister regrets this, and he has voiced his opinion on the matter
during last Sunday's cabinet meeting; he asked the ministers who are
well-informed on the matter top speak up, but some ministers did not accept
this."

Another Olmert aide said that in every Israeli government there were
ministers who spoke out against its policies. He mentioned Benjamin
Netanyahu, Danny Naveh and Uzi Landau, all of whom spoke out against the
Sharon administration's disengagement plan.

"Sheetrit's statements did not erode Olmert's confidence in the plan; on the
contrary, this is his standpoint," a source close to Olmert said. "Today it
is clear to all of us, especially in light of the recent developments in
Gaza, that it is much easier for us to deal with the Qassams when we are out
of Gaza. With all due respect, there were more Qassam-related deaths before
the disengagement. Therefore, these developments only strengthen the notion
of realignment."

The aide added that the realignment concept is gathering momentum also due
to the international community's reaction to operation "Summer Rains" in
Gaza.

"We are acting there in an unprecedented manner; we're firing hundreds of
artillery shells, attacking from the air, sea and land and the world remains
silent," he said.

"The entire world is raging over one kidnapped Israeli soldier only because
we withdrew from Gaza. By the way, there is no link between the Gaza pullout
and the upgrading of the Qassam rockets and the consequent attacks on
Ashkelon; this is a populist and baseless remark. The Qassams would have
been upgraded even if we would have remained in Gaza, only then they would
have hurt many more people.

"Look at the Qassam that was fired from Tul Karm; we are there (West Bank)
with the entire army and they still manufacture Qassams; it's an evolution
of this war, and it has nothing to do with whether we are there or not."

Another Olmert aide estimated that "with or without the realignment, the
Palestinians will be in possession of Qassams in the West Bank. Minister
Sheetrit and anyone else opposed to the plan will have to face some tough
questions regarding the risking of lives when we are left with unsafe
borders; there is also the matter of putting the army at risk inside
Palestinian population and the issue of money-wasting.

"Why do this when we can realign in settlement blocs, prevent the risk and
the waste and gain international sympathy," he said.

(07.11.06, 00:53)