Rabbi Chanan Porat, a former Knesset Member who continues to be a leading thinker in the Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza) public, is among those behind the idea. "If the public votes against our position, we will leave Gush Katif and northern Shomron of our own free will," Porat [in small picture above] wrote in a document explaining the idea. "This will mean that the army will not have to be called in to remove us from our homes – whereas if there is no referendum, the results could be very difficult."
Likud MKs who oppose the disengagement are also said to be in favor of the idea.
Porat said that the idea was presented to the Yesha Council on Friday, and received its blessing. Among those who favor the idea are Council head Bentzy Lieberman, Ze'ev Chever (Zambish), and others. Among the signatories are Gush Katif Chief Rabbi Yigal Kaminetzky, Gaza Coast Chief Avner Shimoni, MK Tzvi Hendel, and close to 100 other spiritual and other leaders.
Asked his opinion on the issue today, MK Hendel [in large picture above] told Arutz-7, "The credit for this initiative goes to Rabbi Chanan Porat, who is certainly an authority on the settlement and love of the People of Israel in its land. Regarding the idea itself: I believe with perfect faith that if we take this question to the people, we will win – and that's why Prime Minister Sharon very much does not want to take it to the people. We're willing to sign a paper that says that if the people decide, we will rend our garments and we will cry, but we do not want a split in the nation. We are not disengaging from the people."
"This is not an easy decision," Rabbi Porat said, "because we do not see the referendum as a correct approach to the issue of uprooting Jewish towns from the Land of Israel. But given the current circumstances, in which they are trying to rape us, we are crying out for the opportunity to be able to win over the hearts of the people."
Porat further said that this would "remove the carpet from under the feet" of those, such as PM Sharon, who say that the referendum is "merely a stalling tactic because in any event the disengagement opponents will not accept the public verdict." He also explained that this would neutralize the entire issue of thousands of soldiers who say they would refuse disengagement-related orders.
Hendel said that door-to-door campaigns have already started in two cities, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva, to explain to people the dangers and harm of the disengagement. "I see the results there," he said, "and it merely cements my belief that if we get the chance to make the case to the people, the right choice will be made."
Likud MKs who oppose the disengagement are also said to be in favor of the idea.
Porat said that the idea was presented to the Yesha Council on Friday, and received its blessing. Among those who favor the idea are Council head Bentzy Lieberman, Ze'ev Chever (Zambish), and others. Among the signatories are Gush Katif Chief Rabbi Yigal Kaminetzky, Gaza Coast Chief Avner Shimoni, MK Tzvi Hendel, and close to 100 other spiritual and other leaders.
Asked his opinion on the issue today, MK Hendel [in large picture above] told Arutz-7, "The credit for this initiative goes to Rabbi Chanan Porat, who is certainly an authority on the settlement and love of the People of Israel in its land. Regarding the idea itself: I believe with perfect faith that if we take this question to the people, we will win – and that's why Prime Minister Sharon very much does not want to take it to the people. We're willing to sign a paper that says that if the people decide, we will rend our garments and we will cry, but we do not want a split in the nation. We are not disengaging from the people."
"This is not an easy decision," Rabbi Porat said, "because we do not see the referendum as a correct approach to the issue of uprooting Jewish towns from the Land of Israel. But given the current circumstances, in which they are trying to rape us, we are crying out for the opportunity to be able to win over the hearts of the people."
Porat further said that this would "remove the carpet from under the feet" of those, such as PM Sharon, who say that the referendum is "merely a stalling tactic because in any event the disengagement opponents will not accept the public verdict." He also explained that this would neutralize the entire issue of thousands of soldiers who say they would refuse disengagement-related orders.
Hendel said that door-to-door campaigns have already started in two cities, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva, to explain to people the dangers and harm of the disengagement. "I see the results there," he said, "and it merely cements my belief that if we get the chance to make the case to the people, the right choice will be made."