Prime Minister Sharon, in the framework of his post-referendum meetings with political leaders, met with Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs Minister Natan Sharansky today. Sharansky was one of the leading opponents of the Prime Minister's withdrawal-from-Gaza plan, which was in fact defeated in the Likud referendum two weeks ago.
Sharansky said afterwards that Sharon said he is determined to present a similar plan, with minor changes, for a Cabinet vote in two weeks' time. It is well known that the Prime Minister promised before the vote to abide by the results of the referendum - although he later said that he was bound only "morally." Sharansky said that he told Sharon that he objects in general to any plan, such as this one, that "strengthens our enemy and weakens Israel."
Sharon reportedly told the former leader of the now-defunct Yisrael B'Aliyah party that the "settlers" - the residents of Judea, Samaria and Gaza - would lose the admiration of the public if they continue to insist on retaining all of Yesha. Sharansky responded that it is the function of the leadership to cause the public to appreciate the settlement enterprise.
The Prime Minister also met today with coalition whip Likud MK Gideon Saar, who also objected to the withdrawal. Saar related afterwards that Sharon plans to present the plan for Likud Knesset faction approval before bringing it to the Cabinet and Knesset.
Next on the list of Sharon's meetings are Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Science Minister Mordechai Zandberg of Shinui, Interior Minister Avraham Poraz of Shinui, and anti-withdrawal Ministers Uzi Landau and Yisrael Katz.
Sharansky said afterwards that Sharon said he is determined to present a similar plan, with minor changes, for a Cabinet vote in two weeks' time. It is well known that the Prime Minister promised before the vote to abide by the results of the referendum - although he later said that he was bound only "morally." Sharansky said that he told Sharon that he objects in general to any plan, such as this one, that "strengthens our enemy and weakens Israel."
Sharon reportedly told the former leader of the now-defunct Yisrael B'Aliyah party that the "settlers" - the residents of Judea, Samaria and Gaza - would lose the admiration of the public if they continue to insist on retaining all of Yesha. Sharansky responded that it is the function of the leadership to cause the public to appreciate the settlement enterprise.
The Prime Minister also met today with coalition whip Likud MK Gideon Saar, who also objected to the withdrawal. Saar related afterwards that Sharon plans to present the plan for Likud Knesset faction approval before bringing it to the Cabinet and Knesset.
Next on the list of Sharon's meetings are Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Science Minister Mordechai Zandberg of Shinui, Interior Minister Avraham Poraz of Shinui, and anti-withdrawal Ministers Uzi Landau and Yisrael Katz.