Polls show that in any referendum a majority of Israelis would vote in support of leaving the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Knesset (parliament) is due to vote on the plan on October 25. Sharon is expected to win the Knesset vote, although he will have to rely on the support of dovish opposition parties, as many members of his coalition, including in his own Likud Party, oppose his Gaza scheme. Other reports from Sunday's meeting said Sharon asked the settler leaders to calm their public and come out against calls for soldiers to refuse orders to evacuate settlements. The meeting was the first Sharon had held with the settler leadership since he first announced his withdrawal plan at the beginning of the year. Previously, the premier was considered the champion of the Israeli settlement movement in the occupied territories. --SP 2325 Local Time 2025 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/211646