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| Sharon's Illness Stirs Political Uncertainty in Israel |
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Israel will undoubtedly face a political uncertainty as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is fighting for his life in hospital Thursday after a brain haemorrhage. Sharon, who was hospitalized Wednesday night after suffering a massive stoke, was in a grave situation although the surgery has continued for more than six hours. As the oldest prime minister in Israel's history, Sharon, almost 78, was hospitalized on Dec. 18 after a mild stroke. The latest development has raised wide concerns over his health before the March 28 general election. A fresh report that Israeli police had obtained evidence of Sharon's family involvement in a US$3 million bribe case had been expected to blemish Sharon's image in the upcoming general elections. In spite of the recent upheavals, Sharon's Kadima Party founded last November, was still riding high in the opinion polls, forecast to emerge as the largest party after the election, with a flattering poll on Wednesday giving the party 42 of the total 120 Knesset seats. But, one can cautiously say that Sharon's position at Israel's helm came to a tragic end as of 10 PM Wednesday, when his health collapsed, as put by Haaretz, a local newspaper. Politicians believe that it will be difficult for him to return to his job even if he pulls through the crisis and ensuing convalescence. The hospitalization of Sharon abruptly exposed Kadima's position as a one-man party. Without a strong organization or a suitable replacement for Sharon, the ruling Kadima will not be as competitive as expected since many Kadima votes were, in reality, for Sharon. According to Haaretz, Sharon was hospitalized at a time when his standing at home and abroad was at a peak, following the successful implementation of the disengagement plan. World leaders were convinced that he was the only one who could move ahead with the diplomatic process or another withdrawal from the West Bank. Sharon's hospitalization will give Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud, and Amir Peretz's Labor Party another chance in the March 28 elections. The race for the post of prime minister, which until Wednesday looked like Sharon's one-man show, is now open. (Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2006) |
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