Channel Two Television news reported this evening that the prime minister's
office says it opposes a national referendum on the disengagement plan
because the plan may be defeated at the polls. The prime minister's office
asked "what group other than the settler's movement can get people out to
work on a campaign?"
Netanyahu has joined Ministers Uzi Landau and Zevulun Orlev in calling for a national referendum on whether or not Israel should unilaterally withdraw from Gaza and northern Shomron.
He emphasized that preparations for the vote could take place simultaneously with those for the disengagement itself, such that it will not hold up the actual implementation of the withdrawal if it is in fact approved.
Minister Uzi Landau, as well, says he is in favor of a plebiscite on the issue. Landau is the leading ministerial force against the disengagement.
Prime Minister Sharon said last week that there is not enough time to hold a referendum on the issue before the Knesset votes on the matter. Sharon hopes that the Knesset will vote on the 3rd of November - the day after Election Day in the U.S.
A national referendum has been promised at every step of the way since Yitzchak Rabin signed the infamous Oslo Accords. Rabin himself called for a referendum in an interview with Israel Radio in an August 1, 1994:
"There are opinions, it is only natural that in every party there are differing positions. I also announced, and it is indeed my intention to fulfill this when and if we arrive at the possibility of signing a peace treaty between Syria and Israel which would require a significant withdrawal, that a decision on this would be made in a national
referendum. In other words, the people will decide on what it is prepared to give up in order to reach peace. I do not see this as being subject only to a Knesset decision."
Acting Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra told Arutz-7 today that he opposes a referendum: "The Prime Minister has a right to change his mind without a new vote of approval from the nation."
Ezra also said, unlike his predecessor Tzachi HaNegbi, that he is not worried about a possible assassination attempt - "and in any event, the police and the GSS have learned a thing or two from the assassination of Rabin." Ezra feels that calls for violence and undemocratic actions constitute incitement, as do terming Israeli leaders "traitors" or "Nazis." He said, however, that the word "dictator" is still in the realm of the acceptable.
office says it opposes a national referendum on the disengagement plan
because the plan may be defeated at the polls. The prime minister's office
asked "what group other than the settler's movement can get people out to
work on a campaign?"
Netanyahu has joined Ministers Uzi Landau and Zevulun Orlev in calling for a national referendum on whether or not Israel should unilaterally withdraw from Gaza and northern Shomron.
He emphasized that preparations for the vote could take place simultaneously with those for the disengagement itself, such that it will not hold up the actual implementation of the withdrawal if it is in fact approved.
Minister Uzi Landau, as well, says he is in favor of a plebiscite on the issue. Landau is the leading ministerial force against the disengagement.
Prime Minister Sharon said last week that there is not enough time to hold a referendum on the issue before the Knesset votes on the matter. Sharon hopes that the Knesset will vote on the 3rd of November - the day after Election Day in the U.S.
A national referendum has been promised at every step of the way since Yitzchak Rabin signed the infamous Oslo Accords. Rabin himself called for a referendum in an interview with Israel Radio in an August 1, 1994:
"There are opinions, it is only natural that in every party there are differing positions. I also announced, and it is indeed my intention to fulfill this when and if we arrive at the possibility of signing a peace treaty between Syria and Israel which would require a significant withdrawal, that a decision on this would be made in a national
referendum. In other words, the people will decide on what it is prepared to give up in order to reach peace. I do not see this as being subject only to a Knesset decision."
Acting Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra told Arutz-7 today that he opposes a referendum: "The Prime Minister has a right to change his mind without a new vote of approval from the nation."
Ezra also said, unlike his predecessor Tzachi HaNegbi, that he is not worried about a possible assassination attempt - "and in any event, the police and the GSS have learned a thing or two from the assassination of Rabin." Ezra feels that calls for violence and undemocratic actions constitute incitement, as do terming Israeli leaders "traitors" or "Nazis." He said, however, that the word "dictator" is still in the realm of the acceptable.