Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, bolstered by last night's parliamentary approval of his Gaza withdrawal plan, has today said he will face down rebels in his Likud Party.
A number of party members - including ministers - have threatened to resign unless a referendum is held, after the main opposition Labour Party voted with Mr Sharon to push the plan though the Knesset yesterday.
The turmoil has raised new doubts about Mr Sharon 's ability to go ahead with a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank next summer.
A resignation of senior Likud ministers, including Mr Sharon 's top rival, Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, could lead to elections in coming months, and delay implementation of a withdrawal.
It could also mean Mr Sharon could try to reshuffle his coalition and bring in the moderate Labour Party.
In last night's historic vote, parliament for the first time voted to dismantle Jewish settlements in lands Israel seized from the Palestinians in the Six Day War of 1967.
Mr Sharon won last night's vote by a comfortable 67 - 45 margin, seven abstained. But nearly half the Likud parliamentarians and two religious parties in Mr Sharon's coalition voted against him.
"I will never give in to pressures and threats, and I won't accept any ultimatums," Mr Sharon said today.
"My position on the referendum is unchanged. I am opposed to it because it will lead to terrible tensions and a rift in the public." He also said he was not in favour of an early election and vowed, " I will have a coalition that will continue to run this country".
AP