Mr. Netanyahu, who voted against the disengagement in the Cabinet this past Sunday, said that he believes that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will ultimately cave in and support a plebiscite. Speaking in Beit She'an last night, Netanyahu predicted that Sharon will agree to a referendum "in the face of the pressure from the MKs and the public.” He added that, “a referendum is critical before withdrawing from any area, and is even more so now because of the anger in the Jewish public."
Indicating the importance he attaches to holding the referendum, Netanyahu recalled that he had been in favor of holding a referendum on the Wye Agreement, which he reached with the PLO during his term as prime minister. However, his proposal for the referendum was rejected by the government, he said while noting that the Wye agreement did not include the uprooting of Jewish communities.
Finance Minister Netanyahu further said that he had previously prevented implementation of the US-backed Road Map plan when Sharon originally brought it before the government. According to Netanyahu, he informed the prime minister at the time that he would oppose the Road Map's execution, even at the cost of splitting the Likud.
Netanyahu has been criticized for his flip-flopping support for the proposed disengagement plan. While voting against the plan's implementation in the cabinet Sunday, he voted for in favor of the disengagement's compensation bill in the Knesset, under pressure from the prime minister.
On March 2, the Likud Central Committee is expected to meet in Tel Aviv to vote on the party's official position regarding a national referendum on Disengagement. Recent polls indicate a large majority in favor of the referendum; however, it is not known if Mr. Sharon will abide by the results.
In recent internal Likud votes, large majorities repeatedly rejected plans to evacuate Gaza and Samaria, yet Prime Minister Sharon proceeded to contravene his party mandate and promote the policies in government.
Before the upcoming committee meeting, pro-referendum Likud members will rally in Tel Aviv on Monday. Party heads rejected a request to hold the rally at Likud headquarters.
Indicating the importance he attaches to holding the referendum, Netanyahu recalled that he had been in favor of holding a referendum on the Wye Agreement, which he reached with the PLO during his term as prime minister. However, his proposal for the referendum was rejected by the government, he said while noting that the Wye agreement did not include the uprooting of Jewish communities.
Finance Minister Netanyahu further said that he had previously prevented implementation of the US-backed Road Map plan when Sharon originally brought it before the government. According to Netanyahu, he informed the prime minister at the time that he would oppose the Road Map's execution, even at the cost of splitting the Likud.
Netanyahu has been criticized for his flip-flopping support for the proposed disengagement plan. While voting against the plan's implementation in the cabinet Sunday, he voted for in favor of the disengagement's compensation bill in the Knesset, under pressure from the prime minister.
On March 2, the Likud Central Committee is expected to meet in Tel Aviv to vote on the party's official position regarding a national referendum on Disengagement. Recent polls indicate a large majority in favor of the referendum; however, it is not known if Mr. Sharon will abide by the results.
In recent internal Likud votes, large majorities repeatedly rejected plans to evacuate Gaza and Samaria, yet Prime Minister Sharon proceeded to contravene his party mandate and promote the policies in government.
Before the upcoming committee meeting, pro-referendum Likud members will rally in Tel Aviv on Monday. Party heads rejected a request to hold the rally at Likud headquarters.