Katzav did not give a clear response, though his staffers said he would not take a public stand. The Yesha Council leaders said afterwards that their request "did not fall on closed ears."
President Katzav has come out publicly for a referendum in the past, but appears to have changed his mind after the Knesset vote in favor of the disengagement principles last November.
Meeting with the President today were Yesha Council Chairman Bentzy Lieberman, Pinchas Wallerstein, and Sha'ul Goldstein. They warned Katzav, a former Likud MK, that implementing the disengagement without having received ratification by the people would lead to a "split in the nation."
The President took the opportunity to beseech the Yesha leaders to try to prevent violence: "We must not overturn the table. It's important that you use only legitimate tools in waging this struggle, and that your words not be interpreted as incitement."
President Katzav has come out publicly for a referendum in the past, but appears to have changed his mind after the Knesset vote in favor of the disengagement principles last November.
Meeting with the President today were Yesha Council Chairman Bentzy Lieberman, Pinchas Wallerstein, and Sha'ul Goldstein. They warned Katzav, a former Likud MK, that implementing the disengagement without having received ratification by the people would lead to a "split in the nation."
The President took the opportunity to beseech the Yesha leaders to try to prevent violence: "We must not overturn the table. It's important that you use only legitimate tools in waging this struggle, and that your words not be interpreted as incitement."