Prime Minister Sharon has been "summoned" to address the Knesset this Monday, after 40 opposition MKs demanded he do so. He will deliver a diplomatic announcement, for which he will then ask the Knesset's support in the form of a vote.
Sharon's intentions are currently unclear. He might wish to use the opportunity to mention the unilateral disengagement plan, in order to obtain a modicum of Knesset support for the plan. He may, however, choose to ignore the issue altogether in order not to risk having his own party and coalition MKs vote against it. Arutz-7's Yosef Meiri notes that in Sharon's previous diplomatic announcement, on January 12, he avoided a similar crisis by delivering a speech with little substance that did not mention the main issues.
Some Yesha supporters are taking no chances, though. Cities of Israel, for instance - a grassroots pro-Yesha group based in Raanana - has begun a campaign to make MKs aware that they may be called upon this Monday to vote for or against the principles of a unilateral withdrawal. The group notes that all MKs' phone and fax numbers appear on the Knesset website , and calls upon the public to remind them succinctly to "Vote Against the Disengagement Plan on Monday." Spokesperson Susie Dym notes that Gen. Eiland's report indicates that a unilateral withdrawal is expected to cause a rise in terrorism and arms-buildup in Gaza. Other analysts note that a Knesset vote for a declaration that mentions the disengagement could be used as a fulcrum by Sharon and/or left-wing media to garner more public support for the withdrawal/expulsion plan.
Sharon's intentions are currently unclear. He might wish to use the opportunity to mention the unilateral disengagement plan, in order to obtain a modicum of Knesset support for the plan. He may, however, choose to ignore the issue altogether in order not to risk having his own party and coalition MKs vote against it. Arutz-7's Yosef Meiri notes that in Sharon's previous diplomatic announcement, on January 12, he avoided a similar crisis by delivering a speech with little substance that did not mention the main issues.
Some Yesha supporters are taking no chances, though. Cities of Israel, for instance - a grassroots pro-Yesha group based in Raanana - has begun a campaign to make MKs aware that they may be called upon this Monday to vote for or against the principles of a unilateral withdrawal. The group notes that all MKs' phone and fax numbers appear on the Knesset website , and calls upon the public to remind them succinctly to "Vote Against the Disengagement Plan on Monday." Spokesperson Susie Dym notes that Gen. Eiland's report indicates that a unilateral withdrawal is expected to cause a rise in terrorism and arms-buildup in Gaza. Other analysts note that a Knesset vote for a declaration that mentions the disengagement could be used as a fulcrum by Sharon and/or left-wing media to garner more public support for the withdrawal/expulsion plan.