Preparations for Sharon- Qrei summit, Sharon studies referendum to dismantle settlements
With the case of a Palestinian - Israeli issue of the seperation wall coming before the International Court Of Justice, as a precedent, the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon loomed his intention to make a referendum on his plan to remove the Jewish settlements from Gaza, and to meet with the Palestinian prime minister.
Worth noting that past international efforts that placed tremendous pressure on Israel, were successfully undermined by Israel and unintentionally, by the Palestinian themselves, as when they abandoned their successful quest for convening a Geneva convention on Israeli violations.
A high ranking Israeli official asked to be anonymous said that referendum is one of several options, including making early elections, or forming a new government.
Sharon angered the settlers and their supporters when he announced on Monday that he is planning to evacuate 17 settlements in Gaza, a matter which threatens his ruling rightful coalition of collapse.
However, opinion polls showed the consent of the majority of the Israelis to leave Gaza.
Meantime, preparations are underway to convene a Palestinian- Israeli meeting that paves the way for convening a long- awaited summit between the prime minister Ahmad Qurei' and Ariel Sharon.
Sources at the presidency of the Palestinian government said that the meeting which was due yesterday in West Jerusalem will be decisive in deciding the fate of the summit meeting. The negotiations affairs minister Saeb Oreikat said that the two sides are embarking on drawing a work plan according to which the two sides vow to abide by its obligations, according to the Roadmap. He expressed his hope that the meeting will come up with convening the summit as soon as possible.
Since he assumed the post of the prime minister in September 2003, Qurei' did not meet with Sharon despite the preliminary contacts made for several times between their two offices.
All, these news coincide with the occupation forces of continued breaking in operations in the Palestinian territories. In a commando operation, these forces arrested Jihad al-Aqra, leader of al-Aqsa group of the Fatah movement in Toubas area, to the south of Jenin, in the West Bank.
Witnesses said that 20 Israeli military vehicles broke into Toubas yesterday morning and besieged al-Aqra house and detained him with two of his brothers. Palestinian sources said that al-Aqra was able to escape in the past several attacks launched to detain him by Israel which considers him responsible for several operations.