Vote rejection clears way for Gaza pull-out

ISRAEL'S parliament yesterday swept aside another potential obstacle to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, overwhelmingly rejecting a proposal for holding a national referendum on the pull-out.

Opponents of the withdrawal had latched onto the vote as a last-ditch opportunity to delay and ultimately scuttle the withdrawal, set for the summer. The defeat yesterday left withdrawal opponents with few remaining options.

Approval of a referendum could have brought down Mr Sharon's government and forced new elections.