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Former Israeli Cabinet minister Natan Sharansky speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in London, this past February. (AP/File)
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| By israelinsider staff and partners May 2, 2005 |
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| Natan Sharansky speaks during a media conference in Berlin this past December. The fierce opponent to PM Sharon's Gaza pullout plan submitted his resignation today. (AP/File) |
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Minister of Diaspora and Jerusalem Affairs Natan Sharansky submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this morning. Sharansky decided to resign in objection to the upcoming Gaza Strip and West Bank pullout and apparently informed the PM of his intention to do so in a meeting during the Passover holiday.
Author of 'The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror', Sharansky wrote in his letter of resignation, "As you know, I have opposed the 'disengagement plan' from the beginning on the grounds that I believe any concessions in the peace process must be linked to democratic reforms within Palestinian society. Not only does the disengagement plan ignore such reforms, it will in fact weaken the prospects for building a free Palestinian society and at the same time strengthen the forces of terror.
"The guiding principle behind the 'disengagement plan' is based on the illusion that by leaving Gaza we will leave the problems of Gaza behind us. As the familiar mantra goes "we will be here, and they will be there". Once again, we are repeating the mistakes of the past by not understanding that the key to building a stable and lasting peace with our Palestinian neighbors lies in encouraging and supporting their efforts to build a democratic society. Obviously, these changes surely will take time, but Israel is not even linking its departure from Gaza upon the initiation of the first steps in this direction.
In my view, the 'disengagement plan' is a tragic mistake that will exacerbate the conflict with the Palestinians, increase terrorism, and dim the prospects of forging a genuine peace. Yet what turns this tragic mistake into a missed opportunity of historic proportions is the fact that as a result of changes in the Palestinian leadership and the firm conviction of the leader of the free world that democracy is essential to stability and peace -- a conviction that is guiding America's actions in other places around the world -- an unprecedented window of opportunity has opened... How absurd that Israel, the sole democracy in the Middle East, still refuses to believe in the power of freedom to transform the world."
Sharansky was the last Likud Minister in objection to the pullout plan, to remain in the government, since the other Likud ministers and deputy ministers opposed to the "disengagement" were fired.
Sharansky nevertheless remained a staunch opponent of the plan and invested great efforts into act against it.
Sharon was not quick to fire him though, partly as a result of American President George W. Bush's high opinion of Sharansky. In addition, Sharansky did not constitute a serious enough political threat to Sharon, to prompt his dismissal.
Monday's resignation marks the first time a government minister quits the government out of his own accord in protest of the disengagement plan.
Right-wing Knesset Member Effie Eitam (NRP) said in response to Sharansky's resignation, "His resignation constitutes a major moral victory for the anti-disengagement camp. Sharansky has become a global symbol in the struggle for human rights, human liberty and the advancement of democracy."
Knesset Member Ehud Yatom (Likud), a staunch disengagement opponent, said Sharansky is "the type of politician whose integrity and decency overcomes his interest to keep his post. Sharansky's detachment will provide renewed momentum to the struggle against the disengagement," he said.
Politicians on the left did not view Sharansky's move in quite the same light.
Knesset Member Roman Bronfman, of Yachad, said, "His resignation constitutes his and his party's ideological and political bankruptcy.
"A human rights activist under the Soviet regime has turned here into a fighter for the occupation. Sharansky, who was elected by the new immigrants' votes, in fact never represented their interests, but rather represented the interests of the settlers and their life work," he accused.
At the close of his letter, Sharansky thanked Sharon for his "productive cooperation over the last four years.
"In particular, for your sensitivity toward issues of concern to the Jewish People and the strong backing you gave to my efforts to combat anti-Semitism and to strengthen Israel's connection with the Diaspora made possible for the State of Israel to forge the many successes which we achieved together in these areas.
"As in the past, I will continue my lifelong efforts to contribute to the unity and strength of the Jewish People both in Israel and in the Diaspora. I will also continue to advocate and promote the idea that freedom and democracy are essential to peace and security."
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