Council leaders believe both that such calls now have better chances of being met, and that the chances for winning such a vote – i.e., defeating the expulsion plan – are increasing.
Pollster Prof. Camil Fuchs of Tel Aviv University discussed with Arutz-7 today the results of a recent poll on this matter. He said that though there is still no majority for conducting a referendum, the percentage is growing, and now stands at 37.5%. Some 17% believe that new elections should be held, thus that a majority of those polled feel that the disengagement should not be implemented without either new elections or a plebiscite. Less than 40% believe that the transfer should proceed without either elections or a referendum.
PM Sharon's disengagement plan calls for the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and northern Shomron, the expulsion of well over 9,000 people from their homes, and the abandonment of the territory to the enemy. Ramifications of the plan include no guarantee that the diplomatic process will continue, a possible split - or worse - in the nation, and the placing of dozens of Israeli towns and cities within range of terrorist rockets.
Asked whether they support or oppose the disengagement, 55.6% of those polled said they support, and almost 31% oppose. "If you'll ask why so many people support either new elections or a referendum," Prof. Fuchs said, "even though a majority support the plan itself, it's because a significant proportion of those who support the plan still feel that the decision must be returned to the people – because they don't want a split in the nation."
Prof. Fuchs said that though a majority currently supports the disengagement plan, Sharon objects to a referendum because "he is aware that there is no way of knowing whether this will continue to obtain in a number of months from now... I'm not an advisor to the Yesha Council, but a victory is within their grasp – and they won't have to go to every single house in Israel. They need only identify certain population sectors or areas that are more prone to hearing their message; a shift of only 12-15% is needed."