Sign in Subscribe
Abbas, Mahmoud

Sharon's Plan for Disengagement Faces Uncertainty Amid Fears of Election

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As Prime Minister Ariel Sharon navigates the complexities of disengagement from Gaza and the West Bank, he faces the challenge of securing a majority in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, after a far-right party pulled out of a deal that would have given him a governing majority. Despite his soaring popularity, with over 65% of Israelis supporting him, Sharon's plan for disengagement faces resistance from within his own party and from radical rabbis of the settlers. Meanwhile, hopes are rising among Israelis that the election of the antiviolence Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, will bring a new era of cooperation and reconciliation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sharon's likelihood of securing a majority in the Knesset is uncertain due to the withdrawal of a far-right party from the deal with Labor's Shimon Peres.
  • Despite his strong popular support, Sharon faces resistance from within his own party and from radical rabbis of the settlers.
  • Sharon's plan for disengagement from Gaza and the West Bank faces a significant hurdle, with the majority of the right wing in his party opposed to it.
  • The election of Abu Mazen as president of the Palestinian Authority is seen as a potential game-changer in the Middle East peace process.
  • Sharon has stated that he will go ahead with disengagement even if he needs to call elections, and he has warned that Israel will take a hard line against any Palestinian attacks during the withdrawal process.
  • The Palestinian Authority's 30,000-strong security forces will play a crucial role in the disengagement process and in maintaining security in the areas being evacuated.

Statistics:

  • 65%: The percentage of Israelis who support Sharon (Danny Ayalon, Israel's ambassador to the U.S.).
  • 30,000: The estimated number of armed security personnel in the Palestinian Authority (Sharon).
  • 8,000: The number of Israeli settlers to be evacuated from Gaza (Sharon).
  • 2005: The year in which Sharon expects to be prime minister.

Sources:

  • Danny Ayalon, Israel's ambassador to the U.S.
  • Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of Israel.
  • Shimon Peres, Leader of the Labor Party in Israel.
  • Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), President of the Palestinian Authority.
  • Colin Powell, U.S. Secretary of State.
  • Tim Russert, NBC News Anchor.
  • ABC News, Meet the Press.

Read more