Political analysts are busy this morning trying to understand the significance of last night\'s vote by the Likud Central Committee against the establishment of a PLO state. Statements by Prime Minister Sharon last year in favor of a demilitarized PA state prompted much of the party membership to convene the meeting and vote against the idea. Sharon was not willing to accept defeat, however, and daringly presented his own proposal last night to push off the vote. In a secret ballot, the party voted by a 59%-41% margin against the idea, and then voted overwhelmingly against a Palestinian state. Sharon appeared unmoved by the decision, saying he would continue to work with the best interests of the State of Israel in mind.
Although the main issue appeared to be that of a Palestinian state, the underlying tension was caused by the overt competition between two men: Prime Minister Sharon and his predecessor and would-be successor, former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. The latter spoke out strongly against the idea of a PA state, interspersed with light jabs at Sharon, followed by the Prime Minister and his own counter-jabs at Netanyahu. Excerpts can be read below.
The Yesha Council congratulates the Likud for its decision negating a Palestinian state. The Council, representing the Jewish communities of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, calls upon all the other Zionist parties to make a similar decision.
Although the main issue appeared to be that of a Palestinian state, the underlying tension was caused by the overt competition between two men: Prime Minister Sharon and his predecessor and would-be successor, former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. The latter spoke out strongly against the idea of a PA state, interspersed with light jabs at Sharon, followed by the Prime Minister and his own counter-jabs at Netanyahu. Excerpts can be read below.
The Yesha Council congratulates the Likud for its decision negating a Palestinian state. The Council, representing the Jewish communities of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, calls upon all the other Zionist parties to make a similar decision.