Prime Minister Ariel Sharon convened his newly reduced Cabinet this morning for its weekly meeting. Absent were the six Labor Party ministers whose resignations went into effect over the weekend. Sharon informed the Cabinet that he had chosen former IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha'ul Mofaz as his new Defense Minister, replacing Labor Party head Binyamin Ben-Eliezer. Sharon also revealed that he had asked former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, his Likud party rival, to serve as Foreign Minister in place of Shimon Peres. Sharon and Netanyahu met late this afternoon, amidst much speculation and guesswork about the results of the meeting.
MK Benny Elon (National Union) made a public call for Netanyahu to respond positively: "With Netanyahu as Foreign Minister - no one in the world compares to him in this regard - and Mofaz as Defense Minister, this will be our dream team." Political affairs correspondent Menachem Rahat said today that Netanyahu decided before this morning not to take the job, but "it now looks like he will say yes. His heart says no, but his mind says yes…"
As we were about to go to press, it was learned that Netanyahu has in fact agreed to serve as Foreign Minister - but only if early elections are held. The election is currently set for next October, but Sharon could force an election as early as 90 days from now.
MK Benny Elon (National Union) made a public call for Netanyahu to respond positively: "With Netanyahu as Foreign Minister - no one in the world compares to him in this regard - and Mofaz as Defense Minister, this will be our dream team." Political affairs correspondent Menachem Rahat said today that Netanyahu decided before this morning not to take the job, but "it now looks like he will say yes. His heart says no, but his mind says yes…"
As we were about to go to press, it was learned that Netanyahu has in fact agreed to serve as Foreign Minister - but only if early elections are held. The election is currently set for next October, but Sharon could force an election as early as 90 days from now.