Serious Negotiations Now Under Way To Create "Unity Government"

DEBKAfile Intelligence

14 July 2004

Negotiations to expand Likud-led government set to begin. Sharon invites opposition Labor and United Torah Judaism to send representatives Sunday. Tuesday, Peres obtained Labor leadership backing for joining Sharon government with primary goal of rapid Gaza Strip evacuation.

Likud rebels scrambling to consolidate pro-settlement parliamentary bloc hope to rope in finance minister Netanyahu, ultra-religious Shas and National Religious Party for get-together later Wednesday.

Police HQ set up panel to plan settlement evacuation, calculate 1,500 men needed to remove every 100 settlers