Tough days ahead for Sharon

By James Reynolds
BBC Jerusalem correspondent

Sharon's plan for Gaza has support from ordinary Israelis

Ariel Sharon is in a mess of his own making.

It was his idea to hold a Likud party vote on his disengagement plan - a tactical gamble that he has now lost very decisively.

In a statement, Mr Sharon says that he has received the result of the vote with great sadness.

The days ahead will not be easy, he warns. He has indicated that he will not resign.

Options

Instead he is expected to go ahead and present his disengagement plan to the cabinet and to the parliament.

But he may face a tough time getting his way.

There is a chance that his coalition may break up along the way.

So the prime minister's supporters are also considering other ways of bypassing or overcoming the Likud Party's rejection of his plan.

Two options are immediately apparent.

One is an early general election and the other is legislation to allow for a national referendum on the disengagement plan.

Ariel Sharon knows that among ordinary Israelis there is a solid majority in favour of withdrawing from Gaza.

His best bet may be to let them have the final say.