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Sharon’s Party to Hold Referendum on Gaza Plan

The entire membership of Ariel Sharon’s Likud party will vote in the next month on Sharon’s Gaza-withdrawal plan.

The prime minister announced the move during a party convention on Tuesday.

The Media Line analysts say it is in part a way for Sharon to bypass ministers and politicians who are opposed to his proposal.

Delegates to the convention agreed the vote will be binding on all members of the party.

The analysts say Sharon is expected to win in a close-run referendum.

While that will guarantee Sharon a majority in the cabinet it will almost certainly mean two right-wing parties will quit the ruling coalition.

However, Sharon reportedly remains confident he will be able to bring the opposition Labor Party into government to replace the National Union and National Religious Party.

The vote is expected to take place a couple of weeks after Sharon’s April 14 meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush.