Israel's parliament (Knesset) passed the nation's budget today by a 58-36 vote clearing the final legislative hurdle for Prime Minister Sharon's planned pullout from the Gaza Strip this summer.

Had the budget not passed by March 31, Israeli law would have required early elections. This would have delayed Sharon's planned Gaza pullout indefinitely. Now, however, there will be no early elections and the plan can move forward.

The extremist settler movement has vowed to disrupt the planned withdrawal even to the point of civil war. Security officials fear that the extremists may attempt to use violence to disrupt the withdrawal or even attempt to assassinate Sharon who was once considered their spokesman.

Approximately two-thirds of Israelis support the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza according to a recent poll. The government will compensate any settlers that leave voluntarily before the end of July. Up to 300 families may not leave on a voluntary basis.