Posted on 01/05/2006 5:56:50 AM PST by anotherview
Jan. 5, 2006 12:11 | Updated Jan. 5, 2006 12:24
Sheetrit: Kadima must choose leader
By JPOST.COM STAFF
In the midst of the dire health of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and the rising uncertainty as to the political direction of the country, many political figures Thursday morning preferred to stick with wishing Sharon a speedy recovery without making political speculations.
However, Transportation Minister Meir Sheetrit broke that trend, telling Channel 10 that he is calling on the Kadima Party council to hold a meeting within 48 hours due to the prime minister's condition, "in order to decide who will lead the party in the upcoming elections."
Sheetrit said that Kadima would continue on the path it has started on.
"Kadima is a way, not only one man," he said. "We believe in the path that Sharon laid out, and we will run and be victorious in the elections."
The long time Sharon loyalist went on to say that a system needed to be implemented to finalize the party's Knesset list. The leading candidates to inherit the leadership of Kadima, according to Sheetrit, were acting prime minister Ehud Olmert, Tzipi Livni, Shaul Mofaz and himself. He speculated that the chances of Shimon Peres leading Kadima were very slim.
In response to Sheetrit's comments, Kadima MK Roni Bar-On said that the party needed to unite behind Olmert's leadership and assist him in running the country.
"Calm and responsibility are what is needed now to run the country. All other things can wait for now," he said.
The March election could be delayed if 80 of 120 lawmakers support such a move, but a postponement appears unlikely.
Parliament Speaker Reuven Rivlin ruled out any delay. "Arik Sharon ... would have said we have to show leadership stability and of course hold elections on the date selected," Rivlin told Israel's Army Radio.
Upon hearing the news of Sharon's medical situation last night, Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu said that he was joining the rest of the country in prayer for the health of Sharon.
"I wish the medical staff success in their mission," he said.
The Labor party issued a statement that read, "The Labor party, together with the people of Israel pray for the recovery of Ariel Sharon."
Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said that party mentor Rabbi Ovadia Yosef urged all Jews to pray for the recovery of the prime minister.
"I am not sure I believe in prayers, but I certainly hope Sharon would make it through the operation, recover, return to himself and resume his duties," Meretz-Yahad MK Yossi Sarid said.
According to Sarid, "I don't think that the elections would be delayed, and I don't believe there is legal precedent, for delaying elections if someone - even a central figure - is incapacitated."
Minister Sheetrit is also right about the list of candidates, except for including himself, of course. Acting Prime Minister Olmert would be the logical choice if he were popular. He is not. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz would be the strongest candidate IMHO. Justice Minister Livni would certainly be an intriguing candidate.
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Netanyanu will be the next PM, and Israel will take out the Iranian nuclear sites before the summer..
I think Netanyahu has little or no chance to be elected. He is NOT popular and was a failure as Prime Minister before.
Kadima will survive and likely win the election based on Ariel Sharon's vision. One of three people will lead it: Ehud Olmert, Shaul Mofaz, or Tzipi Livni. Shaul Mofaz would make an excellent Prime Minister.
Shimon Peres isn't even running for a seat in the Knesset.
Yes, but if the Israeli people sense the war clouds from Iran are drawing closer....then they will choose a wartime leader to get the job doine..
ken5050: Netanyanu will be the next PMNo, he won't. Not even close.
ken5050: and Israel will take out the Iranian nuclear sites before the summer.Not a chance. The threat is much closer to Israel than Iran.
anotherview: Kadima will survive and likely win the election based on Ariel Sharon's vision. One of three people will lead it: Ehud Olmert, Shaul Mofaz, or Tzipi Livni.FWIW, I agree.
anotherview: Shimon Peres isn't even running for a seat in the Knesset.:')
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