Jerusalem ? In a historic vote cast under intense U.S. pressure, Israel’s government narrowly approved an internationally backed “road map” to peace Sunday and for the first time recognized the Palestinians’ right to statehood. But it left itself an escape hatch from unwelcome parts of the plan.

The Cabinet vote cleared the way for a possible three-way meeting — as early as next week — with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, and President Bush.

“The decision … was as difficult as crossing the Red Sea,” Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said of the vote. Those opposed, including ministers from Sharon’s own Likud party, said they feared the plan endangered Israel’s existence.

The vote was seen as a watershed because Sharon’s government, one of the most hawkish in Israel’s history, formally recognized the Palestinians’ right to a state. That has been anathema to Israel’s right-wing parties, including Sharon’s Likud, for decades.

The Cabinet voted 12-7, with four abstentions. The vote came after six hours of passionate debate and injected new momentum into the often-delayed “road map” to Mideast peace, a three-stage plan that envisions a full Palestinian state by 2005.

It was a success for the United States, which had pressured Israel to sign on to the plan.

“This was not a simple day,” Sharon said after the vote. “This was not a happy decision.”

Israeli hard-liners, including most in Sharon’s Likud party, believe a Palestinian state would pose a mortal danger to Israel because it would create the constant threat of terrorism and open the way to an invasion of Israel through Palestinian territory.

However, Israel did dilute its acceptance. The vote was held on “steps defined by the road map” and not the entire document. And many disagreements remain, including who should make the first move, because of the deep distrust from more than two years of fighting that has claimed more than 3,000 lives, two-thirds on the Palestinian side.