Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was questioned by police for more than two hours yesterday in a bribery case that could force his resignation, and critics charged his unexpected talk this week about removing Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip was meant to deflect attention from the scandal.
On Wednesday, Sharon welcomed a proposal to hold a referendum on the plan, accepting a challenge from opponents in his Likud Party. The removal of veteran settlements in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as a referendum, would be firsts in Israel.
Several leading Likud figures have not yet chosen sides in the battle. However, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, a leader of the hawkish wing of Likud, said he supported a Gaza withdrawal. About 7,500 Israelis live in heavily guarded settlements in Gaza, which is home to more than 1.3 million Palestinians.
http://www.etaiwannews.com/Asia/2004/02/06/1076032796.htm
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