Jerusalem: In a big push to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan, the Israeli Parliament has given its approval to the first reading of the Evacuation and Compensation Bill calling for the evacuation of the Gaza Strip and four isolated settlements in the West Bank.

The Bill outlines compensation for settlers to be evacuated and also warns those who actively oppose it will invite punitive measures.

The Bill was passed 64-44, with nine abstentions as the Opposition Labour party, which has provided Sharon with a "safety net" on the plan, voting in favour of it.

The bill will now be transferred to a joint panel comprising of the Knesset Finance Committee and the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee to prepare for its second and third readings, following which it will become a law.

Contrary to the expectations of Prime Minister's aides, Likud party rebels voted in their full strength against the Bill. It was expected that some of them will switch sides with Sharon getting a political boost following his victory in the Knesset on the disengagement plan.