The plan - dubbed "disengagement" by supporters - would entail the removal of Gaza's Jewish communities, as well as several northern Samarian towns, and the relinquishing of territory to Arab militias. It is unclear how or if the mid-day terrorist attack in Gaza will influence the outcome, although some Gush Katif residents have called upon Prime Minister Sharon to cancel the referendum vote.
193,000 registered Likud Party members are eligible to go to the polls to vote their conscience regarding the Prime Minister's unilateral Gaza-first withdrawal plan. Voting began this morning at 8:00 AM and the 443 polls nationwide will close at 10:00 PM. More than 1,000 security personnel have been assigned to protect and maintain order at the voting booths. Final results are expected to be announced shortly after midnight.
Pro-"disengagement" and anti-"disengagement" demonstrators are taking up positions outside many polling places throughout the country. In addition to the 176 lawyers hired by Likud Party to oversee the vote, opponents of the Prime Minister's controversial plan have hired private investigators to act as poll watchers today, according to IDF Radio. With pre-election polls predicting a loss for the Prime Minister, his opponents fear supporters of the plan may try to swing the election using less than legitimate tactics.
Minister (Likud) Yisrael Katz, a leading opponent of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's expulsion plan, reported that some polling stations were not permitting "opposition" poll-watchers into the station to oversee voting. Minister Katz pointed out that a list of poll-watchers was approved, and there is no justification at this point to bar their entry, which is intended to ensure the referendum is conducted without foul play in favor of either side.
In addition, reports were received at the headquarters of the "disengagement" opposition that the Prime Minister's Arab Affairs Adviser was issuing veiled threats to voters in the polling place at Kiryat Ata to influence them to support "disengagement."
Even if Mr. Sharon's plan is defeated by the Likud membership, he may attempt to press ahead with it anyway, according to aides to the Prime Minister. Similarly, Justice Minister Tommy Lapid, head of the Shinui Party, stressed once again today that the results of the Likud in no way demand the government act in accordance with the will of Likud voters. At the opening of this morning's weekly cabinet meeting, Minister Lapid requested that the government discuss the plan at the coming meeting, next Sunday. Likud Minister Uzi Landau, a leader in the opposition to Sharon's plan, told reporters today that Sharon "already declared that he would
accept the results of the referendum," and that's why he called for one in the first place.
Judea, Samaria & Gaza Council leaders will convene tonight in the organization's Jerusalem office beginning at 7:30 PM to monitor the returns of the Likud referendum.
193,000 registered Likud Party members are eligible to go to the polls to vote their conscience regarding the Prime Minister's unilateral Gaza-first withdrawal plan. Voting began this morning at 8:00 AM and the 443 polls nationwide will close at 10:00 PM. More than 1,000 security personnel have been assigned to protect and maintain order at the voting booths. Final results are expected to be announced shortly after midnight.
Pro-"disengagement" and anti-"disengagement" demonstrators are taking up positions outside many polling places throughout the country. In addition to the 176 lawyers hired by Likud Party to oversee the vote, opponents of the Prime Minister's controversial plan have hired private investigators to act as poll watchers today, according to IDF Radio. With pre-election polls predicting a loss for the Prime Minister, his opponents fear supporters of the plan may try to swing the election using less than legitimate tactics.
Minister (Likud) Yisrael Katz, a leading opponent of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's expulsion plan, reported that some polling stations were not permitting "opposition" poll-watchers into the station to oversee voting. Minister Katz pointed out that a list of poll-watchers was approved, and there is no justification at this point to bar their entry, which is intended to ensure the referendum is conducted without foul play in favor of either side.
In addition, reports were received at the headquarters of the "disengagement" opposition that the Prime Minister's Arab Affairs Adviser was issuing veiled threats to voters in the polling place at Kiryat Ata to influence them to support "disengagement."
Even if Mr. Sharon's plan is defeated by the Likud membership, he may attempt to press ahead with it anyway, according to aides to the Prime Minister. Similarly, Justice Minister Tommy Lapid, head of the Shinui Party, stressed once again today that the results of the Likud in no way demand the government act in accordance with the will of Likud voters. At the opening of this morning's weekly cabinet meeting, Minister Lapid requested that the government discuss the plan at the coming meeting, next Sunday. Likud Minister Uzi Landau, a leader in the opposition to Sharon's plan, told reporters today that Sharon "already declared that he would
accept the results of the referendum," and that's why he called for one in the first place.
Judea, Samaria & Gaza Council leaders will convene tonight in the organization's Jerusalem office beginning at 7:30 PM to monitor the returns of the Likud referendum.