|
|
| By israelinsider staff August 19, 2004 |
|
| |
Likud's Central Committee, its decision-making body, voted by a 58% majority to prevent PM Ariel Sharon from negotiating with the opposition Labor party. By a narrow margin, even Sharon's modest proposal to allow him to talk with any Zionist party was rejected. The PM vowed to pursue his course and talk with Labor anyway. Most Likud Ministers and Knesset Members supported him.
In his speech, interrupted by frequent catcalls and boos, Sharon attacked the "rebellious and irresponsible" parts of the body that opposed him. "Unfortunately, there is a group within the party that has been plotting against the government since its establishment," he said. "This is not the behavior expected from members of the ruling party."
The prime minister accused his opponents of inciting civil strife and violence against security forces and against him personally. He unsuccessfully urged his party to reject the position of the "rebels" that Sharon was turning against the party's principles and the results of the last election.
"You must make your voices heard loud and strong, a national and responsible voice, like the voice of Menachem Begin who prevented a civil war on the eve of Israel's establishment and who led to unity on the eve of the Six Day War," Sharon said. "Israel is waiting for that,"
MK Uzi Landau, leader of the camp opposed to the prime minister's plan for unilateral withdrawal and fro inviting Labor into the government, said in his speech that Sharon should bring in the religious parties and to bring back the National Union party - but to turn away from the Labor Party.
A Labor Party spokesman said that the decision would inevitably lead to elections: "The Likud convention decided that it wants to see the Likud refusing peace and destroying any chance of ending violence in the region. If this position is adopted elections will be required."
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
