Word: likud
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...couple of weeks ago, Ariel Sharon sat in his shirtsleeves in the plush Tel Aviv office of his top campaign adviser. The 72-year-old Likud Party candidate in next week's prime ministerial elections was surrounded by his team of high-powered imagemakers, the professionals charged with persuading voters that the former general's reputation as a dangerous maverick is undeserved. At the end of the meeting to discuss his speaking schedule, Sharon raised his bulky frame and addressed his handlers. "I have to thank you all for making me look like such a very nice guy," he said...
...apocalyptic campaign ads notwithstanding, the anticipated election victory of Ariel Sharon next Tuesday is unlikely to plunge the Middle East into war. The deadline for the Labor party to substitute the more popular Shimon Peres for the beleaguered prime minister passed Friday, leaving Barak to face the hawkish Likud leader, who currently enjoys a lead of up to 20 percent in the polls. Having escaped the shadow of Peres, Barak may narrow that gap somewhat by Tuesday, but not even the most optimistic gambler would bet on his beating Sharon on election day. Come Wednesday, all stakeholders in the Middle...
...although Likud is behind Sharon, the truth is that they hadn't actually planned to put him up as a candidate for prime minister. This election, remember, was not scheduled; it was called in extraordinary circumstances. Sharon had been given the party leadership as a stopgap option, to avoid a power struggle between the would-be candidates for party leader. So it's likely that when the next general election comes - by 2003 at the latest, or a lot earlier if Sharon's government collapses - Sharon will be challenged for the leadership of Likud...
Arafat is also understandably suspicious about whether Barak can deliver on any document he signs. Polls put Barak 18 points behind in the Feb. 6 contest for Prime Minister with Likud hawk Ariel Sharon, who, if he won, would be sure to block the implementation of a Barak. "Israel would be free to back out of the deal," a Palestinian official frets, "whereas Arafat would be stuck...
...Netanyahu, of course, will still be a major feature in the campaign, urging voters to support the man he'd have challenged for the Likud leadership, Ariel Sharon. But Barak - who may face (and will almost certainly defeat) a primary challenge from former prime minister Shimon Peres - must fancy his chances of reeling in Sharon's lead over the incumbent. After all, Sharon is Israel's most notorious hawk, and even though Israelis have little confidence in the peace process right now, it may be more difficult for Likud to rally a majority behind a man many Israelis fear will...