Sharon Defeats Bid to Advance Likud Party's Primary

[Scurrilous]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=a_Jl4.K6_S7M&refer=top_world_news

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"Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon beat back a campaign led by Benjamin Netanyahu to oust him as Likud Party leader, narrowly defeating a proposal to hold the next primary as early as November.

Members of the party's central committee last night voted 1,433 to 1,329, or 52 percent to 48 percent, against moving up the contest from its scheduled date in April, committee chairman Tzahi Hanegbi said after the balloting at the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds. He said 91 percent of committee members voted.

Netanyahu, who was prime minister from 1996 to 1999, acknowledged defeat after seeking to advance the primary to capitalize on anger against Sharon for withdrawing from the Gaza Strip this month. Netanyahu said he hasn't given up trying to wrest away the party leadership."

<snip>

"Sharon, 77, told committee members at the two-day meeting that replacing him at the top of the ticket would be "suicidal" for Likud. He angrily walked out of the convention hall Sept. 25 when the sound system broke, preventing him from responding to attacks from Netanyahu and other opponents. Police said they were investigating whether Sharon's microphone was cut off through sabotage."

[Scurrilous]

1. Likud ‘rebels’ turn on Bibi

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3147985,00.html

<snip>

"A day after Bibi loses Likud vote, swords are drawn: A senior Knesset member who is part of the so-called Likud “rebels,” who have turned their back on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, says MK Netanyahu must be replaced as the leader of the anti-Sharon camp within the ruling party.

“We cannot win with Bibi,” the Knesset member told Ynet Tuesday. “The level of hostility towards him is simply incomprehensible. The omrades need to regain their composure and choose a worthy leader that could lead (the battle) against Sharon.”

“If Bibi remains, Sharon will rule the Likud forever,” the MK said, and added staunch rightists within the Likud are disappointed over Netanyahu’s conduct in connection with the disengagement plan, while residents of generally poverty-stricken development towns “cannot stand him” as a result of his tough economic policies."