The Likud will officially kick off its election campaign tonight with a rally in Binyanei HaUmah Convention Center in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and other party leaders will take part. Sharon said again last night that current ministers who do not support his plan for a Palestinian state will not be able to take part in his next government. He said that he assumes a large majority of the Likud ministers will accept his plan.
Of the 12 ministers, only Sharon, Meir Sheetrit, Roni Milo, and Tzippy Livni support a plan leading to a Palestinian state. Ministers HaNegbi, Landau, Rivlin, and Netanyahu have come out forcefully against, and Ministers Livnat and Naveh are also against a PLO state. Sha'ul Mofaz, Silvan Shalom, and ministerial hopeful Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert have not taken a stand. It is thus not clear who Sharon will choose as his ministers. Similar question marks are placed on the future membership of the National Union party in the government - in the face of remarks by Sharon's aides that he would not forsake the Likud's "natural allies."
Of the 12 ministers, only Sharon, Meir Sheetrit, Roni Milo, and Tzippy Livni support a plan leading to a Palestinian state. Ministers HaNegbi, Landau, Rivlin, and Netanyahu have come out forcefully against, and Ministers Livnat and Naveh are also against a PLO state. Sha'ul Mofaz, Silvan Shalom, and ministerial hopeful Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert have not taken a stand. It is thus not clear who Sharon will choose as his ministers. Similar question marks are placed on the future membership of the National Union party in the government - in the face of remarks by Sharon's aides that he would not forsake the Likud's "natural allies."