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Likud Party rejects Sharon’s plan
JERUSALEM.— Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
suffered an overwhelming defeat within his own Likud
Party when 59.5% of members voted in a referendum to
reject his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip,
according to official results announced on public
radio this Monday.
The
plan for unilateral separation from the Palestinians
established that the extensive blocs of colonies in
the West Bank be maintained under Israeli control
behind the controversial apartheid wall that Israel
is constructing in this territory.
Last
month, U.S. president George W. Bush gave
unconditional support to the plan.
Following his defeat, Sharon confined himself to
releasing a statement affirming that he would comply
with the results. “I am saddened by the result of
the vote, but I will respect them,” confirmed
Sharon, indicating that over the next few days, he
would continue to “consult with ministers, the Likud
Party and the coalition parties.”
For
its part, the Palestinian Authority called on Sharon
to apply the so-called Road Map, the latest
international peace place that until now has been
left to one side.
“After this failure, the Israeli government should
take up negotiations immediately with
representatives of the Palestinian people in order
to seriously apply the Road Map,” said Nabil Abú
Rudeina, principal advisor to the Palestinian
Authority President Yasser Arafat, in conversation
with AFP.
Proposed in June 2003, the Road Map anticipates the
creation of an independent Palestinian state in the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip. (AFP)
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