| Group, Lobby, Political Party |
Position |
3 Main Reasons for Support or Opposition |
Am Echad (Party, faction within
Labor Party)
http://www.laborisrael.org/
Peretz%20TUC%202004.htm |
For |
1. Israel needs to show initiative on the peace process by making a
limited, unilateral, territorial concession, in the context of continued
diplomatic and Knesset inertia.
2. Belief: that Disengagement advances the creation of a Palestinian state,
which would contribute to ending terrorism.
3. Belief: that territorial compromise and dismantling some settlements
now will impact on Israeli society, making it easier to dismantle more
settlements in the future.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=244282&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y |
| Balad-Ta'al (Party) |
Against
(but support withdrawal) |
1. Belief: that Disengagement is intended to prevent the creation of
a Palestinian state, this statehood being a goal of the Balad party platform.
2. Concern: that Disengagement will lead to permanent Israeli control
over Gaza Strip's borders, air space, coast, territorial waters, along
with the right of military intervention.
3. Concern: that Israel will consolidate control over West Bank settlements,
which the party platform wishes dismantled.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=244281&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
Azmi Bishara Q&A about Disengagement (foreign site)
http://www.al-awda.org/azmibisharaqaondisengagementplan/ |
| Chadash (see: Hadash) |
|
|
Coalition of Women for Peace: Women in Black
(Lobby)
http://coalitionofwomen.org/home |
For
(but oppose retaining West Bank settlements) |
1. Organization's fundamental position: Israel should dismantle all
settlements and remove all IDF soldiers from the Territories.
2. Perception: that dismantling Gush Katif sets a signficant political
and psychological precedent which will make future dismantling of settlements
much easier and more likely.
3. Perception: that day-to-day life of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip
will improve after a full Israeli withdrawal.
Interview with key founding member of the Coalition of Women for Peace,
the umbrella organization which includes Women in Black:
http://www.justvision.org/interview/gila_svirsky.php#52 |
Gush Shalom (Platform & Lobby)
http://gush-shalom.org/archives/
article299.html |
Against
(but support withdrawal) |
1. Concern: that the Disengagement Plan will create International support
for Israeli retention of parts of the West Bank, as per Prime Minister
Sharon's stated intention.
2. Concern: that Disengagement will lead to a permanent situation wherein
Israel retains control over Gaza Strip's borders, air space, and coast.
3. General support: for actions which weaken the political standing of
the religious parties and the settlement movement whom Gush Shalom views
as political rivals vis a vis the overall direction of Israeli society. |
Hadash (Party)
http://www.hadash.org.il/
(Arabic, Heb., Eng.) |
Against
(but support withdrawal) |
1. Perception: that Disengagement Plan, being a unilateral decision,
is not intended as part of the process to achieve peace.
2. Concern: that Disengagement will not lead to a complete withdrawal
to Israel's 1967 borders, which is part of party platform.
3. Belief: that Disengagement is a measure designed to prevent the creation
of a Palestinian state, also part of the party platform.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=245149&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y |
Labor (Party)
http://www.aavoda.co.il/
(Heb.) |
For |
1. Perception: that the Disengagement plan implements part of the Labor
Party election platform, calling for: unilateral withdrawal from most
of the Territories to a new defensive line; negotiated annexation of large
settlement blocs; dismantling of isolated settlements.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=244275&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
2. Belief: in diplomacy and the essential premise of the Oslo Accords
remains valid, namely: that it is necessary and possible to negotiate
with and empower the PLO/Palestinian Authority.
3. Belief: that demographic and security factors make it imperative to
create a viable Palestinian state in the near future. |
Likud (Party)
http://www.likud.org.il/?Sw=800&Sh=600
(Heb., Russ.) |
Split |
For:
1. Faith in PM Ariel Sharon as a statesman/leader, therefore acceptance
of his principle of "painful concessions" (from Sharon's election
campaign)
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=244273&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y .
2. Belief: that policy decisions should be adapted to imperative circumstances
(international, security/ terrorism, political, economic, demographic),
even where inconsistent with the traditional Likud platform (vs. unilateral
withdrawal, Palestinian statehood).
3. Perception: that the US will support Israeli intentions to retain
major West Bank settlement blocs, as well as building of the West Bank
security fence.
Against:
1. Dedication to: Likud Party founding ideals, namely: “Greater
Israel”; no dismantling of settlements.
2. Adherence to: the Likud's official election platform vis-a-vis opposition
to: a Palestinian state, unilateral withdrawals.
3. Security/terrorism concerns: that the PA and terrorist organizations
will exploit Disengagement to strengthen terrorist infrastructure, recoup
and stockpile weapons, which in turn will lead to more terrorism, especially
missile attacks on Israeli communities and towns. |
| Mafdal (see National Religious Party) |
|
|
Manhigut Yehudit (Lobby/ faction:
members joined Likud)
http://he.manhigut.org/index.php
(Heb., Eng., Fr., Russ.)
http://www.jewishisrael.org/ |
Against |
1. Belief: in "Greater Israel", opposition to a Palestinian
State, plus the claim that dismantling Israeli communities is a disengagement
from Jewish values.
2. Belief: that PM Sharon was bound to accept the results of the Likud
referendum (opposing Disengagement) and concern that Disengagement will
lead to further Israeli withdrawals (unilateral or negotiated, from the
West Bank and East Jerusalem).
3. Security concerns, plus perception: that Disengagement is a surrender/reward
to terrorists, who will step up their attacks after withdrawal. |
| Meretz (see Yachad) |
|
|
| Moetzet Yesha (see Yesha Council) |
|
|
| National Democratic Assembly (see Balad) |
|
|
National Religious Party
(Party)
http://www.mafdal.org.il/?sid=27
(Eng., Heb.) |
Against |
1. Belief: that the integrity and settlement of the Land of Israel
is a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, therefore a Jewish, Zionist ideal
and duty.
2. Commitment: to the NRP's political platform which opposes Palestinian
Statehood and (since the Second Intifada) calls for annulment of Israel's
commitments to the Oslo Accords; perception that Disengagement is a
continuation of territorial compromise that continues to empower and
transfer territory to the PLO, under Oslo;
3. Security concern: that Disengagement will encourage terrorists and
facilitate rapid expansion of terrorist infrastructure.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=243818&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y |
| National Union (Party) |
Against |
1. Belief: in "Greater Israel" and opposition to Palestinian
statehood plus perception that the PA will exploit Disengagement and statehood
to strengthen terrorist infrastructure, thus escalating terrorism, especially
missile attacks into Israeli communities and cities.
2. Security concern: that Islamist radical groups are politically dominant
in the Palestinian Authority.
3. Security concern: that Arab and Islamic states will interpret Disengagement
as a retreat under/reward for terrorism, thus motivating increased terrorism.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=245128&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y |
| Peace Now (Israel; Lobby) (see: Shalom Achshav) |
|
|
Professors for a Strong Israel (Lobby)
http://www.professors.org.il/ |
Against |
1. Belief: in "Greater Israel" and opposition to Palestininan
statehood, plus Security concern: Perception that the PLO, the Fatah Party
– who control the PA - are dedicated to Israel's destruction; hence,
that territorial concessions or transfer of power automatically undermines
Israeli security.
2. Claim: that Disengagement, as a compulsory removal of Israelis from
homes, is a "population transfer", thus a grave violation of
human and civil rights.
3. Social concern: The use of the IDF and the police against a Israeli
civilians is a dangerous precedent threatening the fabric of Israeli society,
bringing it to the brink of civil war. |
| Shalom Achshav (Peace Now, Lobby) |
Against
(but support withdrawal) |
1. Supports: the Geneva Initiative, propposing almost total return to
1967 borders, a compensatory widening of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sovereignty
over the Temple Mount, internationalization of the Jewish cemetery on
the Mount of Olives and of the City of David. In return, the Palestinians
engage to end terrorism and dismantle militias.
2. Concern: that Disengagement will lead to strengthening of West Bank
settlements, slated to be dismantled under the Geneva Initiative.
3. Concern: that the Gaza Strip occupation will not end, as the IDF presence
will continue along the Philadelphia Route, over Gaza airspace and Gaza
coastline.
http://www.peacenow.org.il/site/en/peace.asp?
pi=170&docid=930&pos=3 |
| Shas (Party) |
Against |
1. Security concerns: After meeting with IDF officials, spiritual
mentor Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef concluded that further empowerment of the
PA via unilateral territorial concessions threatens Israeli security
and endangers human life (pikuach nefesh), particularly the potential
for missile attacks on large population areas.
2. Rabbi Yosef supports the principle of “land-for-peace”,
but thus opposes unilateral withdrawals, outside the context of a peace
agreement. He declared his opposition to Disengagement and ordered all
Shas MKs to vote against the plan.
Video of Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef (Hebrew):
http://maran1.com/get.php?sn=50209YhitnatkutW
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=244283&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y |
Shinui (Party)
http://www.shinui.org.il/site/
(Heb., Russ., Eng.) |
For |
1. Belief: that only Israel's adoption of the Disengagement Plan
prompted President Bush's statement to the effect that Arab refugees
will not have the "Right of return" to Israel, and that US
support on this issue is highly significant for Israel - diplomatically
and demographically.
2. Security concern: Belief that withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is critical
to progress in negotiations with the PA, and that arriving at a final
status agreement with the Palestinians will improve Israeli security.
3. Political, social concerns: to impact the overall direction of Israeli
society, particularly the influence of the religious parties, as well
as the settlement movement.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=244284&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y |
United Arab List
(Party) |
Against
(but support withdrawal) |
1. Belief: that all settlements should be dismantled and all IDF personnel
removed from all the territory captured by Israel in the Six Day War of
1967.
2. Concern: that the Disengagement Plan will create international support
for Israeli retention of settlement blocs in the West Bank, as stated
by Prime Minister Sharon.
3. Concern: that Disengagement will lead to permanent Israeli control
over the Gaza Strip's borders, air space, and coast.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=245148&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y |
| United Torah Judaism (Party) |
Against |
1. Spiritual mentors Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (Degel HaTorah Lithuanian
faction, now in the government) and Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter (Agudat Yisrael
Hassidic faction) oppose Disengagement.
2. Party platform opposes: the creation of a Palestinian state, West of
the Jordan River.
3. Party platform expresses belief: that Jews should be allowed to live
in all parts of Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel).
Platform details:
http://www.israelvotes.com/demo/platforms_united_torah.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=244285&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y |
| Women in Black (see Coalition of Women for Peace) |
|
|
Women in Green
(Lobby)
http://www.womeningreen.org/say.htm |
Against |
1. Belief: that the Land of Israel is both a Divine inheritance and
the historic Jewish homeland, from which Jews should not depart voluntarily.
2. Claim: that withdrawal from Gaza was already attempted under the Oslo
Accords, but failed due to the PA's inaction on and support for terrorism,
with the ultimate goal of Israel's destruction. Terrorism will continue,
the IDF will have to re-enter Gaza, even after Disengagement - there will
be no true Disengagement.
3. Security concern: that after Disengagement, major Israeli population
centers will come under direct missile threat, including Ashkelon and
Ben Gurion Airport. |
| Yachad (Party) |
For |
1. Belief: that the settlements constitute obstacles to creating a viable
Palestinian state, which it deems a necessary condition for peace. Has
always supported the dismantling of all settlements.
2. Belief: that occupation of the territories is worse for Israel than
the risk of allowing the development of a terrorist infrastructure in
the territories – both demographically and psychologically.
3. Political, social concerns: to impact the overall direction of Israeli
society and economy, particularly the influence of the religious parties.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtElection.jhtml?
itemNo=244272&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y |
| Yesha Council |
Against |
1. Belief: that expelling large groups of civilians from their homes
is immoral and a breach of human rights' law, as well as contradicting
government promises not to do so, and that for Israel's government to
evict Jewish Israelis from areas of Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel)
is a historic crime.
2. Concern: that Disengagement is the initial step to more extensive expulsions
from the West Bank.
3. Opposition to Disengagement by peaceful and lawful means.
http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Briefs/4621.htm
Hebrew: http://www.moetzetyesha.co.il/arti.asp?id=92 |
| Zu Artzeinu (see: Manhigut Yehudit) |
|
|
Last update - 02:04 13/10/2004
Arab factions present conditions for disengagement support
By Yair Ettinger
Reproduced with permission from ©Haaretzdaily.com
The eight members of the Knesset's three Arab factions are reportedly
leaning toward voting against the disengagement law, which is to be brought
before the Knesset on October 25.
The factions did, however, present conditions Monday that would lead them
to abstain, and even vote in favor of the law, depending on its wording.
MK Azmi Bishara, chairman of Balad, said his three-member faction would
not support disengagement, "as it has been presented in its present
form." Bishara has opposed disengagement from the time it was first
presented by Prime Minsiter Ariel Sharon; the question now being considered
is "whether to abstain or oppose the plan, which comes instead of a
political program."
The two other factions - Hadash-Ta'al, with three MKs, and the United Arab
List (UAL), with two MKs - have expressed themselves similarly, although
they have left open the option of supporting the bill.
Hadash-Ta'al chairman Mohammed Barakeh said his faction will oppose the
bill if, as Sharon said Monday, its wording is the same as that of the cabinet
decision on disengagement, which includes strengthening settlement in Judea
and Samaria.
According to Barakeh, the option of a yes vote on the bill might be created
"in a situation in which the government proposes only evacuating the
settlements and we believe there is separation from the Sharonian complex,
which is unilateral and includes strengthening of the settlements."
UAL chairman Abdulmalik Dehamshe also said, "if the bill includes
only disengagement, and no more, we will be obliged to support it.
The Arab party institutions are slated to meet in the coming days to discuss
disengagement. Discussions will focus on whether the bill should be supported
as a political move, even if its origin is in a right-wing government, when
its practical result is the evacuation of settlements, Israeli withdrawal
and "liberation" of Palestinian land.
Those opposed to disengagement quote the interview given to Haaretz by
Sharon adviser Dov Weisglass in which he said the goal of disengagement
was a freezing of the political process. Supporters of disengagement in
Hadash use the reasoning expressed by Communist MKs who voted in favor of
Camp David in 1978.
The question in principle is whether the political forces at work will
wear down even the undecided, impelling them to vote against the bill, similar
to the way in which the Arab public was called to boycott the 2001 elections
for prime minister. The nationalist elements in the Arab community, led
by Balad, are likely to be the source of such political forces.