JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) on Sunday threatened to dismiss Cabinet ministers who don't support his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip (news - web sites), raising the stakes in a showdown that could break up the government, participants in the meeting said.
Sharon told the ministers during a heated Cabinet debate that he is determined to get his plan approved even if he has to "change the make-up of the government or take unprecedented political steps," one of those present said on condition of anonymity.
A Cabinet vote on the plan was not expected before next week.
The proposal has bitterly divided Sharon's 23-member Cabinet, with 11 ministers having spoken in favor of a Gaza withdrawal and 12 against. Israeli media said two ministers from the hard-line National Union party could be the first to go, which would give Sharon the majority he needs.
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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=716&e=2&u=/ap/20040530/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians