Campaign strategist Arthur Finkelstein has been taking part in consultations with the Likud since yesterday in an effort to "control the damage" caused by the allegations of corruption during the Likud primaries. Finkelstein recommends that Ariel Sharon's leadership be emphasized, and that the party's list of Knesset candidates be disregarded as much as possible.
The Labor Party feels that Sharon has another strategy to divert public attention away from the Likud scandals, namely, by taking an alarmist approach regarding the upcoming Iraq war. Labor leader Amram Mitzna says that the Prime Minister's comments yesterday about dangers facing Israel from Iraq were designed to "spread panic" in order to offset the Likud's electoral troubles. At the same time, Labor Secretary-General MK Ophir Pines called for another immediate investigation into allegations that the security firm of Likud Central Committee Member Shlomi Oz - described as a racketeer with a criminal record - was granted the tender for security at border crossings including airports.
The Labor Party feels that Sharon has another strategy to divert public attention away from the Likud scandals, namely, by taking an alarmist approach regarding the upcoming Iraq war. Labor leader Amram Mitzna says that the Prime Minister's comments yesterday about dangers facing Israel from Iraq were designed to "spread panic" in order to offset the Likud's electoral troubles. At the same time, Labor Secretary-General MK Ophir Pines called for another immediate investigation into allegations that the security firm of Likud Central Committee Member Shlomi Oz - described as a racketeer with a criminal record - was granted the tender for security at border crossings including airports.