Prime Minister Sharon hopes to win support for his plan from Jewish groups in the United States, where polls show that most Jews back him. Pro-disengagement groups admit, however, that they are not able to bring out supporters in numbers.
Recent polls in Israel have revealed that barely more than half of Israelis support the plan to force 9,000 Jews out of their homes in Gaza and northern Samaria and turn over their property to the Palestinian Authority (PA). Many of those in favor of the policy have qualified their support on the condition that the PA commit to cooperate with Israel, and that a more equitable solution for evacuees be found.
Polls a year ago showed that two-thirds of the public backed Sharon, but support has waned in the wake of warnings from military officials that terror is likely to escalate after the planned evacuation. In addition, the lack of progress in finding housing solutions for those slated to be uprooted from their homes has likely caused a drop in support for the withdrawal plan.
The Prime Minister faces massive American public opposition during his brief visit to the U.S. Organizers have hired dozens of buses to bring thousands of protestors to New York, where Sharon is to speak to the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations. The group has endorsed the disengagement plan, but has not actively promoted it.
Sharon will address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Natan Sharansky, who recently quit his Israeli cabinet position because of his opposition to the evacuation plan, is set to appear before AIPAC in Washington a day before Sharon addresses the pro-Israel group.
Sharansky, who was invited to speak at AIPAC's annual dinner, will discuss his recent book on the importance of encouraging democracy around the world. His opposition to disengagement is likely to be highlighted in media interviews, however.
AIPAC frequently favors a nationalist stance in Israel, but is expected to give tacit support for Sharon's policy. The powerful lobby wants to appease President George W. Bush following last month's arrest of a Pentagon analyst who is charged with passing on intelligence information to two AIPAC senior members, both of whom have been fired.
"It is very significant that AIPAC intends to adopt formal policy language that embraces disengagement," said Lewis Roth, assistant executive director of Americans for Peace Now.
Opponents to the evacuation plan also are planning a Washington demonstration in tents to symbolize "the homelessness of the Jews being expelled from their homes," according to organizers.
On Sunday, June 5, a solidarity rally in New York City's Central Park on behalf of continued Jewish life in Gaza and northern Samaria is expected to draw 30,000 people. To be MC'd by IsraelNationalRadio's prominent show host Tovia Singer, the concert will be broadcast live on IsraelNationalRadio.com.