Good Evening to you all,

Over the past few days, a group of Knesset Members from our party have threatened that they will not support the State Budget if we do not surrender to their demands and hold a national referendum.  Failing to pass the budget means the downfall of the Likud Government and early elections.

I view this threat gravely.  Allow me to point out that there are threats to and pressure on ministers and members of the party.  These pressures emanate from within the Likud, as well as by parties outside the Likud, such as: “Kach” and “Yesha”.  Threats are very serious.  I view this as a very serious matter, and I intend to deal with this problem very seriously.  Surrendering to threats is no less serious, in my opinion.  I have seen cases like this.  I do not mean a few cases.  I have met with people who came and asked me what to do when faced with incessant threats to their person and to their families.  I answered that I view threats as a very serious matter, but in my opinion, surrendering to these threats is no less serious.  That was my answer to that person who asked me.  I must admit that he still fears the threats.

My position on a national referendum is clear – I completely oppose this idea.  I also tell you, there will not be a national referendum.  The idea of holding a national referendum is an attempt to delay the implementation of the Disengagement Plan.  I wish to make myself clear: whoever supports the national referendum is against evacuating Gaza.  He is against the disengagement.  Due to the broad support of the public for the Disengagement Plan, a number of those who oppose disengagement are hiding their objection by supporting a national referendum.  The expression “national referendum” is another way of saying “does not want disengagement”.  Minister Yisrael Katz explained this in one of the recent faction meetings when he said that he supports a national referendum because he opposes disengagement, and if he did support it [disengagment], he would oppose a national referendum, and I think he stated very clearly what is actually hiding behind the idea of a national referendum.   The inciters use threats of civil war in order to influence the public who wants disengagement but prefers quiet.  A national referendum will bring about an increase in incitement and hatred because of the struggle, which will continue for many months.  This is what will happen.

The Disengagement Plan strengthened Israel, and already today, even before its implementation, has ushered in unprecedented political prosperity.  We have received many considerations from President Bush for the plan – like maintaining the large settlement blocs, rejecting the claim for the return of refugees and political assurances protecting us from plans which are dangerous to Israel.  In addition, two days ago in Sharm el-Sheikh, we saw the Arab world accept Israel’s position that there will be no political progress before a cessation of terror and incitement.  Israel’s political position was achieved solely through the Disengagement Plan.  Rejecting the plan will cause us to lose all the strategic advantages we have gained.

A national referendum is an attempt to stop Israel’s progress.  I will not agree to this.  Israel cannot waste time and money in vain.  We are speaking of a delay of many months, which will, in the end, bring us to the exact same outcome – evacuating Gaza.

However, the price is high, very high.  I hear the cries implying that a national referendum can prevent a rift and create national unity.  I believe that a national referendum will bring about the opposite result.  Already today, we see the harsh incitement and threats against officers in the IDF, members of the security system, members of Knesset and ministers.  This week, we saw the ugly attack against Minister Limor Livnat – does anyone think that a national referendum would change the behavior of these people?  It will not.  The friction and conflict which will be created by an informational campaign for and against disengagement – that is what will bring us to bloodshed, G-d forbid.

Gentlemen, it is impossible to achieve national unity through threats, intimidation and incitement.  It can only be achieved through full respect of the law and of Government and Knesset decisions.  My entire life, I have never agreed to surrender to threats, and I never accepted them.  And I have no intention of starting now.

Thank you.