Sharon's plan thrown out

2004-05-02 22:06

Jerusalem - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank was soundly rejected by his Likud Party on Sunday, media polls indicated, in what was shaping up as an embarrassing defeat for the premier.

The defeat left the future of Sharon's plan of "unilateral disengagement" from the Palestinians in doubt.

Several hours after polls opened, Palestinian gunmen in Gaza killed a pregnant settler and her four young daughters.

Israel retaliated with an airstrike on a Gaza radio station affiliated with the militant Hamas group, injuring seven Palestinians in the 14-story building, and with another strike on a car full of militants in the West Bank city of Nablus.

Supporters of Sharon's "disengagement plan" argued that the violence underscored the hopeless burden of staying in Gaza. Opponents said any withdrawal would be seen as a reward for terror and encourage more attacks on Israelis.

The defeat of the referendum could precipitate a major political crisis that could include a Cabinet reshuffle, a split in his party or even early elections.

Sharon personalised the campaign in recent days, saying he considered it a vote of confidence in him and hinting he might resign if the plan was defeated. However, few believed he would resign.

Likud members make up only 4% of the Israeli electorate, and the low turnout - less than 50% - among even that fraction of voters could give Sharon wiggle room to ignore the referendum's results.

"This is not good for the country, and a terrible day for the party," Likud minister Tzipi Livni told Channel 10 TV.

Plan 'vital'

Sharon has said his plan to evacuate Gaza's 21 settlements and four small West Bank settlements was vital - in the absence of other peace moves - to reducing the ongoing violence with the Palestinians and defusing international pressure on Israel.

"Those who vote 'no' today will bring about an increase in terror," Sharon said before the polls closed.

The United States and European Union welcomed the plan.

Palestinians greeted the plan with suspicion, angry that they were sidelined and worried that Israel was using the plan to cement its hold over much of the West Bank. Palestinians view settlements in both areas as illegal.

"From the beginning we said that the way to peace is through meaningful negotiations," Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat said.

Sharon had done little campaigning until polls, which had previously shown strong support for the plan, tightened in recent days.

Settlers, however, began campaigning against the attack almost immediately, plastering posters throughout the streets and making personal visits to Likud voters' homes.

Israel had gone on high security alert on Sunday ahead of the referendum, dividing Gaza into three sections and restricting Palestinian travel.

- AP