What next for Sharon's Gaza plan?

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says he will continue with his plans to withdraw from the Gaza Strip despite another rejection from his Likud party.

The party's central committee voted on Wednesday to rule out a coalition with Labour, which backs his plan to pull settlers and troops out of Gaza.

Mr Sharon's office say he remains determined to find a solution for the problem, but some of his aides have hinted elections could be called within six months.

Israel's High Court has also now ordered the government to respond within 30 days to a World Court ruling that the West Bank barrier is illegal.

What can the Israeli Prime Minister do now? Should he press on with plans to form a coalition or should he call elections? What does this mean for the peace process in the Middle East? Send us your comments.

This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion received:

The Likud party is not rebelling against Sharon, rather Sharon is rebelling against long held Likud party positions Benjamin Reiser, Moreshet

It is incorrect to say that Sharon "defies party rebellion". The Likud party is not rebelling against Sharon, rather Sharon is rebelling against long held Likud party positions. He is refusing to accept decisions made by democratically elected party institutions and is attempting to dictatorially force his policies on a reluctant party.
Benjamin Reiser, Moreshet, Israel

Sharon will push with his plan, whether through forming a coalition with Labour or by calling early elections because his policies are backed by most Israelis. They trust him more than any other politician to provide long-term security for Israel against Palestinian terrorism.
Tom, London, UK

There is not much that Sharon can do except to press on with the plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. He does not have much control over matters as he is simply a figurehead. Israel is paying the consequences of the creation of a Religious State. They need to learn to stand on their own without help from the US.
Pete, USA

He should do nothing until he gets the coalition - if he doesn't get it, then still do nothing! If the peace process fails then it's the fault of those stopping the coalition!
Terence Gaffney, Sunderland, England

It's time to send Sharon and Arafat to the dock. They are both worn out and no longer serve a useful purpose. Bring in the doves on both sides and make the hard choices necessary to achieve a lasting peace. It can be done. In addition, the US must abandon its Israel or bust attitude, or consign both sides to never ending death.
Lawrence J Nader, Canonsburg, PA, USA

Why should the Israelis be happy with this proposal? Palestine will move up its borders of course but where will that leave the Israelis? In absolutely the same position they are now. The EU will continue to support the Palestinian's regime not only with moral support, but also financial help. Until the EU shows it has respect for the Israelis as well as for the Palestinians you might as well call the Palestinians another part of the EU.
Ted Maas, Chicago, Illinois

The withdrawal plan really is some sort of a step in the right direction George, USA

The withdrawal plan really is some sort of a step in the right direction. Sharon is beginning to disengage with the Palestinians, as nothing else seems to be working. There are so many issues going on right now that a coalition government would probably be a better choice than to call elections. Although both sides can be blamed for the continuing conflict, let us all remember that there are many Palestinians who still do not believe that Israel has a right to exist. This is one of the reasons why terrorist attacks on Israelis continue, why many attempted negotiations by Israel are not accepted, and why Israel feels the need to defend itself from many of its Middle Eastern neighbours.
George, USA

Hopefully he will continue on this path. The Palestinians are not interested in negotiating or peace. Every time they drag things out and escalate the violence they are rewarded with concessions. It's high time the Israelis pull out of Gaza, build a wall, and leave the Palestinians to sort out what to do next on their own.
Steve Mac, Boston, MA, USA

Cannot someone just cut Israel in half and call the other half Palestine. Jews and Arabs can then decide in which half they would like to live. Jerusalem can be a shared city belonging to neither side but rather administered by clerics like the Vatican. Anything is possible if peace was really desired!
Neil, Hants, UK

Where is the Israeli Nelson Mandela? The man/woman who will accept that the ideology of the mainstream parties is oppressive and discriminatory. When will we see the edifice of ethnic exclusivity crumble and blend into a new party of inclusiveness, along with a peace and reconciliation committee? The Iron Curtain fell, the apartheid regime imploded peacefully... now it only remains for the wounds of festering injustice in the Middle East to be cured.
Russell Harris, London, UK

There is no incentive for Israel to give up anything M Tahseen, Lymm, Cheshire, UK

It should be obvious to anyone that Israel, especially under Likud, never had or will never have slightest intension of a two state solution. They would annexe the entire Palestinian land by settlements and subjugate three million to perpetual occupation. There is no incentive for Israel to give up anything.
M Tahseen, Lymm, Cheshire, UK

Sharon can do everyone a favour by stopping the almost indiscriminate violence by Israel's defence force against Palestinians. I know folk who see it first hand.
Graham, Cobham, England

Mr Sharon should press on with unilateral plans to withdraw from Gaza, complete the West Bank wall, and form coalitions as best he can. Forget negotiating with the Palestinians - their agreements are useless. Ignore clueless Europeans who haven't lived there and faced what Israelis deal with every day.
Bruce B, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Bruce B, from Madison, Wisconsin says Sharon should "ignore clueless Europeans who haven't lived there and faced what Israelis deal with every day." Ever heard of ETA or the IRA Bruce? In case you hadn't noticed, the US is quite new to this anti-terrorism game, hence the rather ham-fisted efforts in Iraq which, strangely enough, they are alleged to have learned from the Israelis.
Dom, London, UK

This political wrestling will go on forever while innocent people die Anakalia, Montreal, Canada

Coalition or election, nothing is going to change. This political wrestling will go on forever while innocent people die. I honestly think it is time Israelis and Palestinians re-evaluate their leadership. Sharon and Arafat's vendettas are taking people nowhere and wasting the entire world's time and energy.
Anakalia, Montreal, Canada

Ariel Sharon should call new elections. Most Israelis agree with his plan to withdraw from Gaza. Let's withdraw from Gaza and see who the Palestinians blame next for their inability to get their act together.
Alex L, New York, USA

Why should the Palestinians be happy with this proposal? Israel will move backs its borders of course but where will that leave the Palestinians? In absolutely the same position they are now. The US will continue to support Israel's regime not only with moral support, but also financial help. Until the US shows it has respect for the Palestinians as well as Israel you might as well call Israel another state of the US.
Stephen James, Manchester, UK

S James of the UK sees it accurately in calling Israel just another state of the USA. It is not now and never has been fair in its dealings with the Palestinians. Who do we think we're kidding by pretending to be an impartial broker for peace?
Tom C, CA, USA

Sharon is a survivor. A very tough and charismatic political survivor. But personally I see no immediate relief from this intolerable impasse. I'm up for early elections.
Leila Darwish Dayan, Tel Aviv, Israel

I am glad to see that leaders in Israel are pushing ahead with a policy that is long overdue, despite massive resistance from his own support base. Now, if only Palestinians could do the same, we might actually get somewhere. Disengagement is a win win for Israel. Gaza can serve either as proof that peace can be achieved once occupation ends, or if violence spirals in Gaza it will lend legitimacy to Israel's West bank occupation by proving land for peace is not enough for Palestinians. Let's pray for the former.
Jim, Canada

There is no other option but to call an early election Shiri, Israel

I am afraid there is no other option but to call an early election. Both the people and the Likud are divided on the disengagement plan. This important issue must be decided in an ordered democratic way. In addition, the Likud will probably have to split on this issue sooner or later.
Shiri, Israel

This withdrawal from Gaza is just a step to regain support from the West, especially from the Europeans.
Boudy, Lebanon

If Sharon is ousted as some people who despise his fairly effective policy at curbing terrorism want, they should consider that his replacement may be much harder line and further to the right. By Israeli standards he is a moderate. The prospects for real peace between Israelis and Palestinians anytime soon looks very bleak right now.
Mark, USA

He will continue to occupy Palestinian land and let the next government decide on whether to withdraw from Gaza Iqbaal Hussein, UK

What he should do, and what he will do are completely different. He should withdraw from all occupied lands. What he probably will do is continue to occupy Palestinian land and let the next government decide on whether to withdraw from Gaza or not.
Iqbaal Hussein, UK

Mr Sharon should push ahead with his plan, form a coalition government if he can and go forward. For decades, the Palestinians have blamed Israel for everything under the sun. Now they are going to have to step up to the plate and actually do something for themselves. No more excuses.
Irwin, USA

It is in Israel's interests that he calls an election and be voted out of office. That way, he will have succeeded in building the separation wall, vastly expanded the illegal settlements on the West Bank, while appearing a hero to the West for making "generous" promises of withdrawing from Gaza. Of course, no such withdrawal will occur with the new government. Seen it before, doesn't surprise me anymore.
Jonathon B, London England

The international community blocks progress by insisting Israel be the only side to make concessions Jim, NJ, USA

Everyone from the Palestinians to people within Sharon's own party seems to want the status quo. At this point it is pretty safe to say that both sides would rather prolong their own suffering than have the other side perceive any concession as weakness. The international community also blocks progress by insisting Israel be the only side to make concessions. Even pulling out of Gaza is wrong if the Palestinians can't tell Israel how to do it. So the occupation of Gaza will continue. Sharon's opponents will gloat. Meanwhile, millions will suffer for it.
Jim, NJ, USA

I think Sharon is trying to do the right thing. If pulling Israeli settlers out of Gaza makes the Palestinians happier then that can only be a good thing. Less attacks would be made on Israel and less Palestinians would die as a consequence. Sharon should push on and try to form this coalition.
T, Scotland

Sharon offered his plan as a way of reducing the 'occupation' and making life easier for the Palestinians. But, with Palestinian rejection of the offer as 'not enough' and European demands that the withdrawal be negotiated, the plan's momentum was killed. Sharon should wait for the Palestinians and Europeans to give him the backing - and the end to violence - that would put the plan back in motion.
Daniel, Jerusalem, Israel

To Daniel: "To make life easier for the Palestinians". Don't you realise you are occupying their land? This is about giving back some of what is already legally theirs. Sharon's plan proposes handing back Gaza, while at the same time keeping land in the West Bank (and building new settlements there). Come on, do you really expect the Palestinians to be happy?
Christopher Butcher, Chofu, Japan

To Christopher Butcher, Chofu, Japan: I think you should learn more about the conflict before making statements. You will learn how and why Israel becomes occupier and what the Palestinians aim was/is. You also will understand why the West Bank in general and Jerusalem in particular belong historically to the Jewish people. You will learn who occupied the West bank until 1967 and the implication of withdrawal. You will understand why legally the West Bank belongs to no state! However, it is in Israel's interest to withdraw from the West Bank to maintain a democratic Jewish state.
Avi, Gillingham, UK

Mr: Butcher: Gaza belonged to Egypt, and the West Bank to Jordan before these countries attacked Israel and were defeated. These are disputed territories, just to set the record straight. Sharon finally is doing something sensible - you can tell that by the amount of hatred the move generates from extremists on both sides.
Alex, USA

To Christopher: Actually Israel won the territories in wars that it didn't start, and it won them from Egypt and Jordan, who cared so much about the Palestinians themselves, that they didn't give them independence either. Another thing Christopher, can you name me any country that does not occupy land that is claimed by someone else?
Steve, USA

To Christopher: I don't think you have understood yet the situation that we have to deal with every day. A week ago marked a year to the day when a terrorist bombed himself in my town. Two people died and many others were injured. The suffering people are the Israelis, not the Palestinians. We didn't occupy any area. Everything belongs to us. But there still should be a Palestinian state. Everybody knows that the creation of a Palestinian State depends on Israel. We have the right to make their lives easier by deciding to leaving them to themselves.
Y H, Rosh Haayin, Israel

A very interesting point was made by Y H. What kind of "state" would the Palestinians have when "it belongs to us" (Israel). If it existed, it wouldn't be very democratic. I think is why most of the Palestinian leaders reject most deals that Israel and the US offer them. They are not providing a "democratic" solution to this problem.
Fernando, London, UK

Do you think any Arab will be satisfied with a state that constitutes less than 10% of its original land? Brahim, Jordan

To an ordinary Arab who isn't washed over like Europeans with platitudes to justify the expansionist and indiscriminately violent policy of Israel, it's obvious where this is going. The road map calls for a ''viable'' Palestinian state - so why not withdraw from Gaza (but still control it from all sides) and bang, there you go - there's your Palestinian state! And then we can turn round and call them ungrateful terrorists when they decline the offer. Lets be realistic. Do you think any Arab will be satisfied with a state that constitutes less than 10% of its original land? Time for a reality check.
Brahim, Jordan

The Sharonian Gaza plan should be rejected from both the Israelis and the Palestinians because it is a plan for unilaterally declaring borders which will be imposed on the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and dictating Israel's terms for peace on Palestinians which means a withdrawal from Gaza while enlarging the settlements in the West Bank and continuing building the illegal apartheid Israeli wall.
Natalie Maamari, Tripoli, Lebanon

You have the nerve to say that only the Israelis are suffering, yet I doubt you've visited Gaza or the West Bank Jeff, Oregon, USA

To: Y H, Rosh Haayin, Israel: Your statement 'Everybody knows that the creation of a Palestinian State depends on Israel', seems to symbolize the problems Israel faces on a day to day basis. Your arrogance on the situation is astounding. You have the nerve to say that only the Israelis are suffering, yet I doubt you've visited Gaza or the West Bank. Even an American such as myself can tell you that your statements are inaccurate. Also, to Bruce B in Madison: The 'clueless' Europeans aren't dying in Iraq right now. Perhaps they know something about the Middle East that we don't?
Jeff, Oregon, USA

The plan will not make one jot of difference. The so-called disengagement will not work because Israel will have to police the Arab population in exactly the same manner. Removing some population centres will make no difference - the Arabs are not interested in peace. Look at the treaties with Egypt and Jordan they have both been reneged upon by the Arab regimes. The correspondents who write about occupied land should study history starting in 1922 with the League of Nations' and Britain's mandate for a Jewish homeland.
D Rainer, UK

To Y H, Rosh Haayin, Israel: What audacity! 3 times as many Palestinians died, and scores more injured and made homeless, yet you dare suggest they are not suffering?
Rita, Egypt

There is an element of pure evil, which drives men like Bush, Blair and Sharon. An evil which stems from the belief that might is right. However evil they may be though, it is a good thing to remember who creates evil and gives the unrighteous a pathway to oblivion. A wide path. But hey, they cannot say they were not warned.
Des Currie, Umdloti, South Africa

Mr Sharon has a plan; he should put it to the people of Israel and let them decide. There is no better way for the people to state their position Kpdodo, Mauritius

Mr Sharon has a plan; he should put it to the people of Israel and let them decide. There is no better way for the people to state their position; and that would legitimise the position taken after the elections.
Kpdodo, Mauritius

It is quite remarkable that there are still people who believe that Arafat strives to create a "democratic" Palestinian state.
Alex, Chicago, USA

Europeans have a delusional view of this entire conflict going back to Israel's formation. It was the UK, not the US, that partitioned the Middle East. It was Europe, not the US, that encouraged Jews to move to the Middle East first by offering incentives and later by threatening to wipe them out. When the UK abandoned its former colony, the world was left with what was essentially a UN-approved two-state solution. The Palestinians and neighbouring Arab states have continually rejected this solution - first through a series of wars and now through terrorism. The current situation is a direct result of this failed policy of aggression. Sharon has lived Israel's real history. He knows that he can't negotiate with people who don't want to accept that his country even exists. He also knows that he can't worry about the opinions of people who subscribed to a biased alternate reality. So he is doing what he can to end the conflict on his own. Those of us living in reality should commend him for this.
Anthony, USA