Likud party falling apart?

[sharonbn]

How can we stay together?

Likud ‘rebels’ resign from Finance Committee, pave way for budget to pass, disengagement referendum to go to Knesset vote; Rivlin: Likud 'already two parties'

By Ilan Marciano and Attila Somfalvi

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday that the current crises facing the Likud Party could spell the end of the party.

“It’s not entirely clear to me just how we can all run on a single ticket in the next elections,” said Sharon. “I support disengagement, they oppose it.”

The frank admission was echoed by senior Likud Knesset members, including Education Minister Limor Livnat, Transportation Minister Meir Sheetrit, and Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin.

Rivlin criticized the rebel group, saying they should not be permitted to “shoot the Likud in the head”. But he also acknowledged the split has already occurred. “In essence, we are already two parties,” he said.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...061682,00.html

[Ophra]

Go to the polls

Ariel Sharon is like a head without a body these days. His brain is working, his plans are inching forward, and he enjoys the backing of most Israelis. There's only one small hitch: He's lost the support of his party along the way.

Sharon's two landslide victories at the polls, the fact that many Likud members are sitting in the Knesset today and holding cushy jobs only thanks to him - all has been forgotten. Those who once groveled at his feet, ready to be his human doormats are now bursting with attitude. They will fight him no matter what, even if it means destroying the party and losing the reins of government.

Never, in Israel's rocky history, has there been a party so willing to commit political suicide. It is hard to believe that Sharon, head of a party with 40 Knesset, seats, has been reduced to going around, cap in hand, begging for support from every Tom, Dick and Harry, to get the state budget passed. It is hard to believe that he needed Beilin, Sarid and the Arab MKs to get the Gaza disengagement plan approved. How embarrassing to watch him shake hands with Naomi Blumenthal, who hasn't stopped badmouthing Sharon and his policy since the day he fired her.

A prime minister who depends on the mercies of the opposition - now that is something new. But how can we complain about the opposition toying with Sharon and blackmailing him, if members of his own party, his own flesh and blood, have turned him into a hostage? Do as we say and the budget will pass. Don't, and the country goes to elections.

In normal circumstances, a prime minister who is also a party chairman would call the top dogs in and bawl them out for playing with fire. He would rant and rave and conjure up images of what could happen if the budget was blocked and the disengagement plan fell through. He would warn them that they were playing with the future of the country, that there was no guarantee the Likud could repeat its performance and land the same number of seats in the Knesset.

He would accuse them of hobbling the cart just as it was gathering speed, of causing the country to slide back into the gloomy days from which we were beginning to emerge. He would tell them that the European Union and the Americans, with the friendliest president we've ever had, will end up turning their backs on us. Worst of all, the intifada and terror would return with a fury.

You are taking upon yourselves a great risk by rocking the boat at this time, he would say in a speech in the finest Ben-Gurionesque tradition.

But this is a fantasy. The reality is that the Likud rebels - the Feiglins, the Greater Israel fanatics and the settlers - don't give a fig. They will do whatever they can to weaken Sharon, and they will keep it up as long as the disengagement plan remains in force.

Even if the budget is approved, they will make his life difficult, in the hopes of turning the pullout from Gush Katif into a national trauma. They know what everyone knows - that after the pullout comes the evacuation of Talia Sasson's 105 unauthorized outposts, and then negotiations on the road map. The Americans will push and prod for stages B and C, with more rounds of evacuation from settlements in Gaza. And the settlers et al are not about to let this happen.

With so little in the way of a political alternative, and no cadre of new leaders, most Israelis will continue to support the Likud headed by Sharon. Because there is simply no one else who is committed to the painful concessions that will be needed after the withdrawal from Gush Katif.

Under the circumstances, Sharon has nothing to fear from early elections. In fact, he should be the one to call for them, before the disengagement or soon after. This is the only way of putting the Likud house in order, of getting rid of the fanatics, strengthening upcoming political stars like Tzipi Livni, and reeling in voters who are disappointed in Shinui and the nebbishy leadership of the Labor party.

Sharon has no reason to be afraid of going to the polls. The majority of the public is behind him - not the zealots and the loonies. Nothing could be worse than the way things are now, with a minority trying to drag the country into sheer bedlam. This ship named Likud needs some rocking.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/555081.html

[takeo]

The fanatical rightwing on this site is very quiet these days.

[Mediocrates]

Wow - a hate filled Marxist who rip and posts long articles about the fall of civilization and a communist who's obsessed with WW2. Some beauty contest. Just because the fools have no one to talk to but themselves doesn't mean they've 'won'.

[takeo]

Wow - a hate filled Marxist who rip and posts long articles about the fall of civilization and a communist who's obsessed with WW2. Some beauty contest. Just because the fools have no one to talk to but themselves doesn't mean they've 'won'.

hey, at least one is responding, WWII is an interesting topic, got any problems with that?
But medio, this isn't about me, I would like to know your opinion concerning the topic of this thread?

[Mediocrates]

No you're not. You're interested in nose tweaking and using what other people say as another step on your soapbox. Stick with Oprah if you'd like a conversation.

[Leon]

Sharon's two landslide victories at the polls, the fact that many Likud members are sitting in the Knesset today and holding cushy jobs only thanks to him - all has been forgotten

This is the funniest and most ironic part of the article: The only reason they have cushy jobs is because they are supporting the very same policies which got Sharon the very same cushy job!

[Leon]

though I'm not too sure whether the fanatical rightwing are quite in general:

http://backspin.typepad.com/backspin....html#comments

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/4751/heil38wk.jpg

Ahh those darn Jewish settlers with their white KKK hoods and zionazi zigheil salutes.

[Ophra]

Wow - a hate filled Marxist who rip and posts long articles about the fall of civilization and a communist who's obsessed with WW2. Some beauty contest. Just because the fools have no one to talk to but themselves doesn't mean they've 'won'.

What ...... I'm neither a Marxist or a hater ..... your a gossipy old man is what you are Medio .

I'm an Israeli patriot that supports our elected government and who voted for Sharon in the last elections. What I despise is the religious extremists who would bring my country to it's knees .... and those who show contempt for our Laws .

The only one I am interested in "winning" is the State of Israel Medio... I have no wish to "talk to" those like you who's interest is solely for the Land of Israel and can't even tell the differance !!!!!

[SteveK]

What ...... I'm neither a Marxist or a hater ..... your a gossipy old man is what you are Medio .

I'm an Israeli patriot that supports our elected government and who voted for Sharon in the last elections. What I despise is the religious extremists who would bring my country to it's knees .... and those who show contempt for our Laws .

The only one I am interested in "winning" is the State of Israel Medio... I have no wish to "talk to" those like you who's interest is solely for the Land of Israel and can't even tell the differance !!!!!

Hi Ophra,

Is Mediocrates really an American alta-cocker Yid?

That's why your thinking is the most rational, and I've said it before.
But, here you summarize it to the 'T',- the winner must be The State of Israel.