Likud Party voting stations will close at 10 PM tonight, as 305,000 voters are eligible to choose their party leader - and, most likely, the next Prime Minister. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, in a press conference with Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz this evening, said that in addition to the Palestinian terrorists' usual goals of murdering Jews merely because they are Jews, "today they have an additional objective: to influence the Israeli elections and democracy." He called upon Likud members - "it does not matter whom you support" - not to fear the terrorists and to make sure to vote.
Sharon voted in Sderot this morning, but his appearance was not the customary joyous photo-op of the incumbent dropping his envelope into the ballot box. Instead, the fresh news of the terrorist attack in Kenya made it a somber moment, and Sharon solemnly called upon Likud members to come out and vote for the man who will lead the country for the next four years. Polls show that Foreign Minister Netanyahu is way behind Prime Minister Sharon; latest surveys showed that Sharon continues to maintain a 20-plus percentage point lead over his rival. Netanyahu spent the morning in the Foreign Ministry, briefing the press on the attack in Kenya, but went to vote with his wife Sarah around noon.
Sharon voted in Sderot this morning, but his appearance was not the customary joyous photo-op of the incumbent dropping his envelope into the ballot box. Instead, the fresh news of the terrorist attack in Kenya made it a somber moment, and Sharon solemnly called upon Likud members to come out and vote for the man who will lead the country for the next four years. Polls show that Foreign Minister Netanyahu is way behind Prime Minister Sharon; latest surveys showed that Sharon continues to maintain a 20-plus percentage point lead over his rival. Netanyahu spent the morning in the Foreign Ministry, briefing the press on the attack in Kenya, but went to vote with his wife Sarah around noon.