No one knows if Prime Minister Sharon and Foreign Minister Peres actually have a new diplomatic plan, but it is already facing opposition from both ends of the political spectrum. Likud Party Ministers Landau, Livnat, and Naveh are leading a campaign to get Sharon to back off from his previously stated support for a limited Palestinian state, something that is against the party platform. They and others have signed a petition calling for a Likud central committee session to reiterate the party\'s opposition to the idea. Sharon is the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister to express support for a Palestinian state.
On the other hand, Peres is drawing opposition from within *his* party for his insistence on meeting with Arafat. MK Chaim Ramon told a Labor Party crowd last night that Peres is mistaken in his belief that a deal can be made with Arafat. Ramon and others want the party to adopt a new slogan: \"Separation Now, Peace Later.\" The PA\'s Yasser Abed Rabbo said that the Sharon-Peres plan involves establishing a demilitarized state in Gaza - an idea rejected by the Palestinians.
Peres met with French leaders in Paris yesterday, and is visiting Stockholm, Sweden today. He appeared pleased that his plan of several weeks ago, that of an area-by-area ceasefire, appears to be progressing - despite a dozen or so shooting incidents in Hevron. The IDF, which withdrew from Ramallah two nights ago, still remains in Tul Karem and around Jenin, but is on the verge of leaving these areas as well.
On the other hand, Peres is drawing opposition from within *his* party for his insistence on meeting with Arafat. MK Chaim Ramon told a Labor Party crowd last night that Peres is mistaken in his belief that a deal can be made with Arafat. Ramon and others want the party to adopt a new slogan: \"Separation Now, Peace Later.\" The PA\'s Yasser Abed Rabbo said that the Sharon-Peres plan involves establishing a demilitarized state in Gaza - an idea rejected by the Palestinians.
Peres met with French leaders in Paris yesterday, and is visiting Stockholm, Sweden today. He appeared pleased that his plan of several weeks ago, that of an area-by-area ceasefire, appears to be progressing - despite a dozen or so shooting incidents in Hevron. The IDF, which withdrew from Ramallah two nights ago, still remains in Tul Karem and around Jenin, but is on the verge of leaving these areas as well.