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Netanyahu wins primary, Sharon recovering
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-20 09:31 Sharon was at risk for stroke because of his age and obesity. He has never
released his medical records, and a right-wing lawmaker and physician, Arieh
Eldad, demanded that he do so now.
The doctors insisted that Sharon immediately start a diet, though his aides,
who refused to disclose his weight, suggested that might be a difficult edict to
enforce.
"He is a very opinionated man. He will make that decision on his own, just
like he makes all other decisions," Cohen said.
Sharon received calls from President Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair
and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas also sent
wishes for a speedy recovery.
Kadima officials insisted Sharon's illness wouldn't damage the party.
"The prime minister's leadership is the cornerstone of Kadima, and will
continue to be," Justice Minister Tzipi Livni told Army Radio. But she said
there is a "worthy coterie" of other leaders as well.
Hanan Crystal, a political analyst, said the toughest candidate against
Sharon would likely be Netanyahu, who served as prime minister from 1996-1999
and is an experienced campaigner and polished public speaker.
"Netanyahu has already defeated a sitting prime minister (Peres in 1996), and
he can do it again," Crystal told Israel Radio.
"We need to present an alternative to Sharon's policy of unilateral
withdrawals that have brought Qassam (rockets) to Ashkelon," said Gideon Saar, a
Likud faction chief, referring to rockets fired by militants in Gaza that
exploded not far from the Israeli city.
Sharon did not speak to the media Monday, but Israeli newspapers said he
called their reporters late Sunday to assure them he was fine.
Palestinian reaction was mixed, with some celebrating his illness and others
hoping for his recovery.
Sharon is widely reviled for his connection to a 1982 massacre of Palestinian
refugees in Lebanon by an Israeli-allied militia, and distrusted because of
Israel's tough policies against Palestinian militants during the past five years
of fighting.
But he also pulled Israel out of the Gaza Strip this summer, and many
Palestinians believe he is the only politician who can lead Israel to make
peace.
"Sharon started it, and if he doesn't finish, it will take a long time before
a strong Israeli leader will come and make peace," said Naim Zarloul, a clothing
store clerk in the Balata refugee camp in the northern West Bank.
But Abu Aziz, a leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades militant group in
Balata, said he was "ready to throw a party and fire in the air" if Sharon
dies.
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