Despite Bush's declarations, Netanyahu holds back support for disengagement
Likud Party officials said today that U.S. President George W. Bush's statements yesterday in support of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan improve its chances of being approved in the party's referendum on May 2. A public opinion poll shows that 57% of Likud's rank and file members support the plan. Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, however, is seeking additional "clarifications" from Sharon before deciding where he stands.
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. . . Although two of Netanyahu's conditions for supporting disengagement were apparently met - an American rejection of the Palestinians' "right of return" and continued Israeli control over Gaza Strip border passages - the finance minister is continuing to insist on the completion of Israel's construction of the security barrier before the Gaza withdrawal begins.
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Sharon's plan is supported by 57% of the Likud's rank and file members, a poll conducted by the Geocartography institute said today. 37% of the Likud's members oppose the plan, while the rest are undecided. Maariv reported that if Netanyahu comes out if favor of disengagement, support for the plan could grow to 67%.
