Parliament OKs Shamir’s Plan for Peace in West Bank, Gaza

Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir won Parliament’s approval for his peace plan Wednesday, overcoming a challenge from lawmakers in his right-wing Likud Party who said it could help create a Palestinian state.

The vote in Parliament, after more than seven hours of sometimes bitter debate, was 43 in favor and 15 against, with 11 abstaining. But 51 legislators were absent, including some Likud members who walked out before the vote of confidence was called.

Likud dissidents included Industry Minister Ariel Sharon and Economy Minister Yitzhak Modai, who has called on Shamir to resign.

In the occupied territories, two Palestinians were killed Wednesday and at least 14 were wounded, Arab hospital officials said.

An army spokesman confirmed five wounded and said it was checking the other casualty reports.

Gaza’s 700,000 residents were confined to their homes for a third day as Israeli police continued a sweep of Israeli markets and factories, forcing all Gazan Arabs to return home.

Shmuel Goren, coordinator for the occupied lands, told a parliamentary committee Wednesday that Gazans will not be allowed to return to Israel without special permits, Army Radio reported. He said the permits also will be issued to 60,000 West Bankers employed in Israel.

Goren said 28,000 Gazans with criminal records will not get permits, the radio said. It was unclear if this includes Palestinians who have been jailed without charge for anti-Israeli activities such as organizing protests.

In presenting his peace proposal, Shamir played down its rejection by leading Palestinians, who charge it is a ploy to cheat them out of a Palestinian state.

The plan calls for the election of Palestinian representatives to talks on limited self-rule. Negotiations on a final resolution would begin three years later.

The plan rules out participation by the Palestine Liberation Organization, which is outlawed in Israel but which many Palestinians consider their rightful representative.

“From the Arab side, there have been voices of refusal and rejection,” Shamir said. “We do not think these voices are the final word.”

At a Likud meeting before the vote, opponents argued that the plan paves the way for the creation of a Palestinian state.

“The initiative states that we shall negotiate with any Arab who is elected,” said legislator Pessah Grupper. “This is leading toward negotiations with the PLO.”