Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon won another victory in the Israeli Knesset (parliament) today which avoided a national referendum on his planned withdrawal plan from the Gaza Strip, scheduled for this year. Had a referendum been necessary, it would have delayed the withdrawal for months. The vote was 72-39.

Had Sharon lost the vote, he was faced with the threat that his government would fall. The Labour party had threatened to leave the unity government if the referendum was necessary.

The last remaining obstacle to the Gaza pullout plan is the passing of the budget which must be completed by March 31 under Israeli law. Sharon appears in a position to win this vote as well after reaching a deal with the Shinui party, the coalition's third largest member, last week.

Polls show that the vast majority of Israelis support the plan to leave the Gaza Strip and dismantle settlements there. The right wing settler movement remains opposed and are expected to continue their calls for resistance.