Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, on Wednesday continued to reject the idea of holding a national referendum on his "disengagement" plan.
Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Education Minister Limor Livnat, Health Minister Dan Naveh and Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz threatened minutes after the plan was approved in the parliament late Tuesday that they would quit in two weeks if Sharon fails to heed the demand for a referendum.
But Sharon was quoted Wednesday as saying by Haaretz newspaper that he would not permit threats to force him into a referendum on his plan to remove all of the settlements in the Gaza Strip and four in the northern West Bank.
"I will never give into pressures and threats and I won't accept any ultimatums. A person can change his mind from time to time but not give into pressures and ultimatums. My position on the referendum is unchanged - I am opposed because it will lead to terrible tensions and a rupture in the public."
As for the four ministers threatening to resign, he said only, "They'll get an answer." (albawaba.com)
