Jerusalem - Israel's opposition Labour Party leader has called for early elections, effectively ending talks about entering government in the wake of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud party barring him from negotiations.
Sharon had vowed earlier on Thursday to press ahead with an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip despite the humiliating rebuff from his party. He wanted the alliance with Labour to forge a parliamentary majority for his Gaza plan.
Labour leader Shimon Peres, a strong proponent of ceding occupied land for peace with Palestinians, suggested Sharon was too weakened by the revolt by Likud's right-wing central committee to close a deal with the main centre-left opposition.
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"We cannot entrust the fate of Israel to the hands of 800 to 900 (Likud rebels) when we see that a majority of the country (in polls) unequivocally support disengagement (from Gaza) - the dismantling of settlements," Peres said.
"Therefore the opinion of the Labour Party is to call for elections and allow the people to decide."
Elections are not due until 2006, but the dovish former premier and foreign minister said they should take place "as soon as possible, the minute there is a majority in the Knesset".
There was no comment from Sharon, who began a week-long vacation on Thursday apparently unfazed by the brewing crisis.
He wants to move 8 000 Jewish settlers out of Gaza next year under his plan to "disengage" from Palestinians, in revolt since 2000. But such a step would almost certainly be delayed by early elections.
Peres would have to present a motion to dissolve parliament to the 120-member chamber, which is in recess until October.
Confidants of Sharon said although he wanted to avoid early elections, they could not be ruled out.
Peres has left the door ajar for further talks with Likud, but only if there was a fresh mandate from Labour, many of whose leaders have been lukewarm about such talks.
On Wednesday, Likud's central committee voted against a link-up with Labour.
Before Peres's remarks, Sharon seemed keen to keep up efforts to reshape his coalition. His office said he would go ahead with his plans to withdraw from Gaza. - Reuters
- This article was originally published on page 2 of Cape Times on August 20, 2004
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