As reported earlier this week, Mr. Sharon expressed general approval of the idea of a national referendum on his Gaza evacuation plan. "There is importance to a referendum," he said, "It sounds like a good idea."
In reaction to the Prime Minister's stated position on the idea, originally put forth by Likud Knesset Members Gilad Erdan and Michael Eitan, President Moshe Katsav announced support for a national referendum on the issue of removing Jews from their homes in Gaza.
Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin, however, commented that such a referendum should be held, if at all, only on a complete plan and not on the specific element of removing Jewish communities from Gaza. By putting the specific issue before the people, Rivlin explained, elected officials are avoiding the need to make the critical decisions.
Justice Minister Yosef (Tommy) Lapid, chairman of the Shinui party, expressed opposition to a national referendum on the issue of the Prime Minister's planned removal of Gaza's Jewish communities. Lapid stated such a move is not part of our democratic process. Echoing both MK Rivlin and his party chairman, Minister of National Infrastructures Yosef Paritzky stated that the cabinet or Knesset may not unload the responsibility of making pivotal decisions, decision lawmakers were elected to make. The idea of a national referendum ahead of a cabinet decision on the matter is not a good one, according to Paritzky, and it contravenes the democratic principles of the country.
Taking advantage of Prime Minister Sharon's statements in general support of a national referendum, Yossi Beilin called upon Mr. Sharon to hold a referendum on Beilin's Geneva Initiative, promoted heavily last year. However, as Arutz-7 reports (see below), Beilin is apparently more intent on getting European approval than he is on getting the agreement of the Israeli people.
In reaction to the Prime Minister's stated position on the idea, originally put forth by Likud Knesset Members Gilad Erdan and Michael Eitan, President Moshe Katsav announced support for a national referendum on the issue of removing Jews from their homes in Gaza.
Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin, however, commented that such a referendum should be held, if at all, only on a complete plan and not on the specific element of removing Jewish communities from Gaza. By putting the specific issue before the people, Rivlin explained, elected officials are avoiding the need to make the critical decisions.
Justice Minister Yosef (Tommy) Lapid, chairman of the Shinui party, expressed opposition to a national referendum on the issue of the Prime Minister's planned removal of Gaza's Jewish communities. Lapid stated such a move is not part of our democratic process. Echoing both MK Rivlin and his party chairman, Minister of National Infrastructures Yosef Paritzky stated that the cabinet or Knesset may not unload the responsibility of making pivotal decisions, decision lawmakers were elected to make. The idea of a national referendum ahead of a cabinet decision on the matter is not a good one, according to Paritzky, and it contravenes the democratic principles of the country.
Taking advantage of Prime Minister Sharon's statements in general support of a national referendum, Yossi Beilin called upon Mr. Sharon to hold a referendum on Beilin's Geneva Initiative, promoted heavily last year. However, as Arutz-7 reports (see below), Beilin is apparently more intent on getting European approval than he is on getting the agreement of the Israeli people.