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The Israeli parliament—in a historic decision—voted Tuesday to back Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to pull Israeli troops and settlements out of Gaza and a tiny portion of the West Bank.

The vote was 67 for, 45 against and seven abstentions. ...

Sharon entered parliament Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by 16 bodyguards, an unprecedented number. Outside, police cordoned off the building, restricting entry, as thousands of settlers gathered in a nearby park to protest the plan.

Protection for Sharon has been beefed up in recent weeks amid growing concern he could by attacked by right-wing extremists.

The withdrawal plan has bitterly divided the nation, and solidified Sharon’s transformation from long-time patron of the Jewish settlers to their No. 1 nemesis.