The Likud has canceled two upcoming party events, because Ariel Sharon did not want to engage in debates with Minister Uzi Landau on the disengagement plan. The events were scheduled to be held in Holon and Haifa. Landau is considered one of the leading opponents of the evacuation/expulsion plan. Those opposed to the program wanted a format in which Sharon and Landau would either debate or would be asked to answer identical questions. The Sharon team, however, insisted on a more formal format, in which Landau would speak for 30 minutes, to be followed by a Sharon response of equal length. Likud Elections Board Chairman Hon. Tzvi Cohen announced yesterday, "Under these circumstances, in which the argument is one of principle, there is no choice but to cancel the events." Landau supporters blame Sharon for having "ducked out" of a debate with Landau.



Three new names have joined the rank of those who now support the disengagement plan: Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman MK Yuval Shteinitz, and IDF Intelligence Chief Gen. Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash. Farkash said in the past that the withdrawal would be interpreted as a victory for terrorism, and in fact several MKs were surprised at his sudden change of opinion. Even MK Omri Sharon said, "What happened to your previous opinion?" Farkash did not respond, but said that Hamas is now in a situation of disarray, and that other Arab elements in Gaza will be interested in maintaining quiet. He admitted, however, that Hamas is attempting to carry out a large terror attack.