Top Labor politician defects to Sharon's new party

[Thom Little]

A prominent politician from the moderate Labor Party joined Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new party Wednesday, the first such defection, adding impetus to a movement that could break a decades-long electoral stalemate over peace policies. The move by Cabinet minister without portfolio Haim Ramon came hours after President Moshe Katsav signed a decree for the dissolution of Parliament, paving the way for a general election on March 28.

For procedural reasons, the order will only take effect on December 8. Sharon will stay on as prime minister until elections and should have a free hand to change his Cabinet before then.

Turning away from the Labor Party, Ramon said he decided on his move after representing the dovish party for 23 years in Parliament because "there must be a party in the center which reflects the views of the majority of Israelis."

Sharon's former colleagues in Likud were meanwhile gearing up for their own leadership primary on December 19 with a bout of mud-slinging.


http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=20273

[IndianaGreen]

1. I expect him to be joined shortly by Shimon Peres

Peres is still smarting over his defeat by Peretz.

ABB = Anybody But Bibi

[leveymg]

2. Sharon's gov't falls, Likud splits - Bush-Cheney and GOP next.

The collective catastrophic failure of the Likud-Bush-Cheney cabal to take control of the Middle East has certain consequences. One of which is the realignment of politics in both countries.

[IndianaGreen]

3. Bibi would appeal to the religious wackos in this country

The "Greater Israel" and the "Apocalyptic" Christians in America, people like Pat Robertson and James Dobson. These TV evangelists are already decrying Sharon's pull out from Gaza.

[Democat]

4. Could that happen in America? The Republicans party in ruins?

Maybe this will send a warning to the right wingers in the U.S.?