Prime Minister Sharon convened dozens of Likud Party chapter leaders in his home today to prod them into working on behalf of his plan. The meeting comes on the backdrop of simmering bickering and accusations within the party, in light of the drop in support for the plan as shown by recent polls. Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who preceded even Sharon in calling for a massive withdrawal from Yesha areas, sent a letter to Sharon yesterday accusing Ministers Netanyahu, Livnat and Shalom of not actively supporting the plan. Olmert called Foreign Minister Shalom a "caricature of a Foreign Minister."
Ministers Shalom, Netanyahu and Livnat have also come under heavy fire from the other direction. Their right-wing supporters say the three "caved in" and "turned their backs" on their long-held political philosophies in expressing support - albeit grudging - for the plan.
In other Likud news, two party activists posting anti-Gaza-expulsion notices in the Ramle-Lod area were stabbed by Arab attackers. Kol Rina News Agency reports that the attack occurred very early this morning. The attackers fled, while the victims were taken to the hospital and found to be wounded only lightly.
Ministers Shalom, Netanyahu and Livnat have also come under heavy fire from the other direction. Their right-wing supporters say the three "caved in" and "turned their backs" on their long-held political philosophies in expressing support - albeit grudging - for the plan.
In other Likud news, two party activists posting anti-Gaza-expulsion notices in the Ramle-Lod area were stabbed by Arab attackers. Kol Rina News Agency reports that the attack occurred very early this morning. The attackers fled, while the victims were taken to the hospital and found to be wounded only lightly.