Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon stated that he might put his plan for the evacuation of some Jewish settlements from the occupied territories to a referendum. On Wednesday in Jerusalem, Sharon told reporters that he believes it would be good for the people of Israel to vote on the plan to evacuate 17 settlements from the West Bank and 3 settlements from the Gaza Strip. Polls indicate that Sharon's plan has widespread public support. Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, said on Wednesday that he views Sharon's plan as a positive development, but noted that it should be seen as a first step. Ahmad Qurei, the Palestinian Prime Minister, welcomed Sharon's proposal as good news, but stated that he wants Israel to leave all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. According to Sharon's plan, Israel will maintain control over many of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
Sharon Proposes Referendum on the Evacuation of Jewish Settlements - 2004-02-04
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has proposed a referendum for the evacuation of certain Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which has garnered significant public support. Kofi Annan views this as a positive step, while Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Qurei welcomes the news but demands a complete Israeli withdrawal. This development is significant as it reflects ongoing tensions and negotiations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon proposed a referendum to allow the Israeli public to vote on his plan to evacuate some Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The proposal has received significant public support and reactions from both Palestinian and international leaders.
- Sharon's plan involves the evacuation of 17 settlements in the West Bank and 3 in Gaza.
- Polls indicate widespread public support for Sharon's evacuation plan.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has a long history involving territorial disputes, settlement policies, and efforts for peace. Sharon's plan is seen as a controversial but potentially pivotal step in addressing these issues.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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