Ariel Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Shimon Peres, the leader of the opposition party, have agreed to work towards forming a national unity government. The aim of this unity government is to gain the approval of the Israeli parliament for Sharon's plan regarding the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. On Monday, following a meeting with Ariel Sharon, Shimon Peres stated that his Labor Party would begin formal negotiations on Tuesday regarding the possibility of forming a coalition government with the Likud party. The Prime Minister also warned rebellious members of the Likud party that if they attempt to obstruct the formation of a national unity government, he would call for early elections. Sharon's plan, known as the disengagement plan, calls for the removal of all Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the West Bank by the end of next year.
Sharon and Peres Attempt to Form a National Unity Government in Israel - 2004-07-13
Ariel Sharon and Shimon Peres are working together to establish a national unity government in Israel to support Sharon's withdrawal plan from Gaza. The Labor Party will start negotiations with the Likud party, while Sharon warns dissenting Likud members of potential early elections. This is significant as it reflects ongoing efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Ariel Sharon and Shimon Peres are collaborating to form a national unity government in Israel to support Sharon's disengagement plan from Gaza. This coalition aims to secure parliamentary approval for the withdrawal of settlements.
- Sharon's disengagement plan involves removing all Jewish settlements from Gaza and some from the West Bank.
- Peres's Labor Party is entering negotiations with the Likud Party to form this coalition.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, with various attempts at peace and territorial agreements. The disengagement plan is a significant step in this complex situation.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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