Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon submitted his Gaza withdrawal plan to a cabinet debate on today, setting up a showdown with rebellious rightist ministers that could shatter his coalition whatever the outcome.
Mr Sharon told ministers they would not be asked to vote on the plan during the session, Israel Radio said, a sign he still had no majority in the 23-member forum for unilateral "disengagement" from conflict with the Palestinians.
"The plan will enable us to preserve national and security interests and extract Israel from the dangerous diplomatic deadlock," Mr Sharon said in broadcast remarks at the meeting.
"I know it's not an easy or simple step but we must all show leadership and responsibility and bring hope to Israel."
Finance Minister Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, Sharon's powerful rival, has led resistance in their Likud party to the proposal to remove Gaza settlers by the end of 2005. Likud members rejected the plan in a May 2nd referendum.
Mr Sharon says there is no more strategic or economic value in preserving 21 tiny Gaza enclaves with 7,500 settlers ringed by 1.3 million Palestinians and prone to constant militant attack.
Critics of a unilateral withdrawal, which Mr Sharon changed from a one-step to a four-stage pullout after losing the Likud vote, say quitting Gaza and four small West Bank settlements would "reward terrorism" and embolden Palestinian militants.
A senior political source said a cabinet vote would be held by June 6th at the latest.