[DRB]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,176204,00.html

JERUSALEM — In a bold gamble, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday asked Israel's president to dissolve parliament, pushing for a quick March election just hours after deciding to leave his hardline Likud Party and to form a new centrist party.

Sharon's decision to leave Likud sent shock waves through Israel, redrawing the political map, finalizing his transformation from hardliner to moderate and boosting prospects of progress in peacemaking with the Palestinians.

His confidants say Sharon felt Likud hardliners, who tried to block this summer's Gaza pullout, were imposing too many constraints and would prevent future peace moves. Palestinian officials expressed hope Monday that the political upheaval in Israel would bring them closer to a final peace deal.

Removed from the constraints of Likud, Sharon would be free to pursue the more moderate line he has espoused in recent years — part of a dramatic turnaround from a fervent supporter of Jewish settlements to the first Israeli leader to dismantle West Bank and Gaza communities.

Sharon's departure turns Likud into a hard-line party that opinion polls show will be the main loser in an election.

He helped found the Likud party. In some ways it is unbelievable that he left but it does show that he is serious about moving forward with the peace process.

 

[Changleen]

Witrh Sharon, I cannot help but feel there is always some other motive floating around behind the scenes. This does look good though.

 

[DRB]

Witrh Sharon, I cannot help but feel there is always some other motive floating around behind the scenes. This does look good though.

Two years ago I would have said that there would be no way that Sharon could ever be involved in meaningful movement in the peace process. Even after Arfat died I figured he would come up with some other excuse to delay. Now I have to say that I believe he wants the peace process to move forward.

I think that unlike SO many, he has been able to move past where he was to something different.

As for that motive, I think it was and still is to protect Israel at all costs. Like I said I think he has come to a different conclusion on how to accomplish that.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[fluff]

Two years ago I would have said that there would be no way that Sharon could ever be involved in meaningful movement in the peace process. Even after Arfat died I figured he would come up with some other excuse to delay. Now I have to say that I believe he wants the peace process to move forward.

I think that unlike SO many, he has been able to move past where he was to something different.

As for that motive, I think it was and still is to protect Israel at all costs. Like I said I think he has come to a different conclusion on how to accomplish that.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

I'd agree with much of what you've said about Sharon. He appears to have realised that Israel is in a strong position to make peace happen, pretty much on their terms. He is offering a limited withdrawal to present the Palestinians with a fait accompli regarding their own territory. It weakens their position in the eyes of the world whilst Israel have not really given up too much.

It is a crafty policy and I actually hope he can pull it off as it may well be the best hope for peace there for many years.

 

[TheMontashu]

Sharon is making an attempt to pick up were rabin left off

 

[DRB]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,177187,00.html

Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres quit the Labor Party on Wednesday, leaving his political home of nearly six decades to campaign for Ariel Sharon's new centrist party.

Peres' defection was a coup for the premier's new Kadima Party as the major political factions scramble to snare high-profile supporters before March parliamentary elections. Many Israelis respect Peres for his decades of service to the country, but some view him warily as a dove and political opportunist.

And this is as important....

Late Tuesday, Sharon picked up more political clout, with 72 mayors, most from Labor and Likud, attending a meeting at his official residence in Jerusalem. Many of the mayors declared their support for Sharon, saying they were disenchanted with their own movements.

Sharon's party does not have a grass-roots organization yet, and the mayors could help fill the gap.

Its funny to watch the extremes catch it in the teeth.

 

[Changleen]

Wow, this is really looking good now.

 

[ohio]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,177187,00.html





And this is as important....



Its funny to watch the extremes catch it in the teeth.

Good lord, I wish we could pull that together in this country...

McCain/Clark ticket? Moderate/centrist/progressive party?

 

[Silver]

Anyone want to start the death clock on Sharon/Peres?