Israel/Palestine: In the end, the vote was overwhelming. But that could not diminish the dramatic nature of the 17-5 decision yesterday by the Israeli cabinet to dismantle settlements in the Gaza Strip and West Bank for the first time since these areas were captured 38 years ago.
A few hours later, though, in a move that angered Palestinians, the Israeli government voted to approve a section of the West Bank separation barrier that would leave a large chunk of Palestinian land on the Israeli side.
After the vote, Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon, the one-time architect of the settlements, signed an order that requires some 9,000 settlers to leave their homes in 21 settlements in Gaza and four in the northern West Bank by July 20th. If they do not agree to move, they will be forcibly evicted.
"This is not an easy day, this is not a happy day," Mr Sharon told ministers before the vote, referring to the uprooting of settlers from their homes. But speaking later to American Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, he said: "Israel has taken a step that will be decisive for its future the right one to ensure Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state."
The use of the term "Jewish and democratic" is a reference to the demographic reality that is driving Mr Sharon's withdrawal plan. Jews are still a majority in the geographical space between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, but if Israel fails to draw a border with the Palestinians, then within a decade Jews could be a minority in this area, ruling over an Arab majority.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said he would ensure the withdrawal went off quietly and without attacks by militants.
"The people will throw flowers on the Israelis, not stones or bullets," Mr Abbas said.
But the Palestinians also fear Mr Sharon will try to use a Gaza pull-out to cement Israel's hold over major settlement blocs in the West Bank.
"Sharon wants payback in the West Bank for the disengagement from Gaza, particularly Jerusalem," said Palestinian lawmaker Ms Hanan Ashrawi.
Mr Sharon still faces a major hurdle in the form of the 2005 state budget, which he must pass by the end of March. If he fails, there will automatically be an election. At least one-third of the Prime Minister's ruling Likud Party is opposed to the withdrawal and is threatening to vote against the budget.
In a 20-1 vote, the cabinet approved construction of a large section of the West Bank barrier that is closer to the 1967 border than originally planned. Nevertheless, the revised route of the fence still juts out into the West Bank in the Jerusalem area.
Israel has argued that the barrier is a vital security measure, while Palestinians insist it is part of a land-grab in the West Bank.