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Sharon, Ariel

Likud Party Rejects Ariel Sharon's Gaza Disengagement Plan

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Ariel Sharon's proposed unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip suffered a crushing defeat within his own Likud party, with polls indicating an overwhelming rejection of up to 20% of the party's members. The vote, prompted by the killing of a Jewish settler and her four children, was marked by heightened tensions and emotional appeals from both sides. While the party referendum is not binding on the government or parliament, Sharon's leadership is now under scrutiny, and he may face pressure to reshape his cabinet or seek support from opposition parties to push forward with disengagement.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Likud party's rejection of Ariel Sharon's Gaza disengagement plan by up to 20% is a significant blow to the prime minister's leadership.
  • The vote was not binding on the government or parliament, but it may influence Sharon's ability to implement the plan.
  • The killings of the Jewish settler and her four children added emotional weight to the campaign, with both sides accusing each other of terrorism.
  • Palestinian officials welcome the removal of settlements but oppose the plan on grounds that Israel would maintain a security grip on the Gaza Strip while consolidating its occupation of the West Bank.
  • The unilateral plan involved the removal of all settlements in the Gaza Strip and four small communities in the northern West Bank, but was met with opposition from within Sharon's own party.
  • The US administration had previously backed the plan, with some members viewing it as a necessary step towards a two-state solution.

Statistics:

  • 20%: The margin of rejection in the Likud party vote.
  • 193,000: The number of Likud party members who were eligible to vote.
  • 50%: The estimated percentage of Likud party members who participated in the vote.
  • 34: The age of the Jewish settler woman who was killed along with four of her children.
  • 11: The age of the eldest daughter who was killed in the attack.
  • 2: The age of the youngest daughter who was killed in the attack.
  • 2-11: The age range of the daughters killed in the attack.
  • 4: The number of children the settler woman had who were killed along with her.
  • 2: The number of Israeli soldiers who were wounded in an exchange of fire.
  • 2: The number of leaders of Hamas assassinated by Israel in a month.
  • 1: The number of buildings fired on by Israeli helicopters in Gaza City.

Sources:

  • Israeli radio and television (polls released during voting)
  • BBC News: "Gaza settler killings add to tensions in Israeli-Palestinian conflict" (no date)
  • Reuters: "Israel's Likud party rejects Sharon's Gaza withdrawal plan" (no date)
  • Haaretz: "Likud party rejects Sharon's Gaza withdrawal plan" (no date)
  • Al Jazeera: "Palestinians welcome Gaza settlement removal, reject Israeli security grip" (no date)
  • The Jerusalem Post: "Sharon's disengagement plan gets boost from US" (no date)

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