However, some opponents of the Likud referendum are indicating the Prime Minister is showing signs of changing his mind.
If the latest request of Judge Cohen is fulfilled, the referendum will take place shortly after Mr. Sharon's return from a meeting with US President George Bush in Washington. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister continues his series of meetings with Likud Knesset Members opposed to his unilateral withdrawal plan, in a concerted effort to convince them of its merits.
Minister Uzi Landau, seen as the leader of the internal Likud opposition to "disengagement", said, "Whoever asks to conduct a referendum within three weeks, is asking to conduct a phony referendum. Likud members will not know what they are voting on." Prime Minister Sharon," Landau charged, is trying to "pull a fast one."
"The party members will reject the plan despite this," Landau continued, "but it is our job to get to every member in the shortest amount of time, in order to explain the dangers inherent in the plan."
Knesset Member Gilad Erdan charged that Sharon is trying to force his position on the Likud. Erdan said that setting such a close date for the referendum will damage efforts by those opposed to "disengagement" to carry out their campaign among Likud members.
For his part, Minister of Public Security Tzachi Hanegbi said that, while he will not for now formally join with those opposed to the plan, out of respect for the Prime Minister, he remains opposed to "disengagement". He said that his opposition would remain steadfast even if the Americans were to promise billions of dollars in exchange for the retreat from Gaza.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who is beginning a round of talks in Washington, will do his part to support the unilateral Israeli withdrawal from Gaza – and to make it even more far-reaching. Mubarak is expected to tell United States President George W. Bush that his country is willing to assist with logistical and security arrangements in Gaza following an Israeli withdrawal, provided Israel also gives up security jurisdiction over the Philadelphi route in its withdrawal. According to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's current plan, the strategic route along Egypt's border would remain in Israeli control following a unilateral disengagement, in order to prevent increased weapons smuggling from Egypt into Gaza.
If the latest request of Judge Cohen is fulfilled, the referendum will take place shortly after Mr. Sharon's return from a meeting with US President George Bush in Washington. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister continues his series of meetings with Likud Knesset Members opposed to his unilateral withdrawal plan, in a concerted effort to convince them of its merits.
Minister Uzi Landau, seen as the leader of the internal Likud opposition to "disengagement", said, "Whoever asks to conduct a referendum within three weeks, is asking to conduct a phony referendum. Likud members will not know what they are voting on." Prime Minister Sharon," Landau charged, is trying to "pull a fast one."
"The party members will reject the plan despite this," Landau continued, "but it is our job to get to every member in the shortest amount of time, in order to explain the dangers inherent in the plan."
Knesset Member Gilad Erdan charged that Sharon is trying to force his position on the Likud. Erdan said that setting such a close date for the referendum will damage efforts by those opposed to "disengagement" to carry out their campaign among Likud members.
For his part, Minister of Public Security Tzachi Hanegbi said that, while he will not for now formally join with those opposed to the plan, out of respect for the Prime Minister, he remains opposed to "disengagement". He said that his opposition would remain steadfast even if the Americans were to promise billions of dollars in exchange for the retreat from Gaza.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who is beginning a round of talks in Washington, will do his part to support the unilateral Israeli withdrawal from Gaza – and to make it even more far-reaching. Mubarak is expected to tell United States President George W. Bush that his country is willing to assist with logistical and security arrangements in Gaza following an Israeli withdrawal, provided Israel also gives up security jurisdiction over the Philadelphi route in its withdrawal. According to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's current plan, the strategic route along Egypt's border would remain in Israeli control following a unilateral disengagement, in order to prevent increased weapons smuggling from Egypt into Gaza.