The Likud Party convention being held in Jerusalem's Binyanei HaUmah hall this afternoon and evening promises to be a stormy one. At issue is the unique situation in which a popular leader - Arik Sharon - is leading his party in a direction opposed to that in which much of it wants to be led. Many party members opposing a Palestinian state and the Road Map have promised to make their positions clearly known.
The concluding speaker will be Prime Minister Sharon, who will address the party faithful at precisely 8 PM - in time for the evening news broadcasts. He will have been preceded on the podium by Finance Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Mofaz, Foreign Minister Shalom, Trade Minister Olmert and Minister Uzi Landau.
An attempt last night by Road Map-opponent Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz, who is chairing today's session, and Sharon-aide Uri Shani to formulate an agreed-upon resolution for the convention did not succeed. Minister Katz, speaking today with Arutz-7's Ariel Kahane, explained what happened:
"I suggested that we agree on five points: The fact that all the Land of Israel is ours and that the Yesha settlement enterprise must be strengthened; that Jerusalem must remain united under Israeli sovereignty; that security zones in Yesha be strengthened and kept under Israeli sovereignty, just as Sharon and the Likud talked about in the past; the fact that refugees will not be allowed in at all and that Arab countries are responsible for them; and that negotiations must not resume until terrorist infrastructures and incitement are totally stopped. Unfortunately, Sharon's representatives agreed only to three points - those regarding Jerusalem, refugees, and the terrorism - but not to the points regarding Yesha and the security zones. I will therefore support an even stronger resolution tonight, and we will see what happens."
Katz ruled out the possibility of his resigning from the party over these issues, saying that those who resign weaken themselves and their positions, and that the proper way to fight for his point of view is from within the party.
The concluding speaker will be Prime Minister Sharon, who will address the party faithful at precisely 8 PM - in time for the evening news broadcasts. He will have been preceded on the podium by Finance Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Mofaz, Foreign Minister Shalom, Trade Minister Olmert and Minister Uzi Landau.
An attempt last night by Road Map-opponent Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz, who is chairing today's session, and Sharon-aide Uri Shani to formulate an agreed-upon resolution for the convention did not succeed. Minister Katz, speaking today with Arutz-7's Ariel Kahane, explained what happened:
"I suggested that we agree on five points: The fact that all the Land of Israel is ours and that the Yesha settlement enterprise must be strengthened; that Jerusalem must remain united under Israeli sovereignty; that security zones in Yesha be strengthened and kept under Israeli sovereignty, just as Sharon and the Likud talked about in the past; the fact that refugees will not be allowed in at all and that Arab countries are responsible for them; and that negotiations must not resume until terrorist infrastructures and incitement are totally stopped. Unfortunately, Sharon's representatives agreed only to three points - those regarding Jerusalem, refugees, and the terrorism - but not to the points regarding Yesha and the security zones. I will therefore support an even stronger resolution tonight, and we will see what happens."
Katz ruled out the possibility of his resigning from the party over these issues, saying that those who resign weaken themselves and their positions, and that the proper way to fight for his point of view is from within the party.