Yisrael B'Aliya merges with Likud

The Jerusalem Post ^ | Feb. 6, 2003 | THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF

[yonif]

Natan Sharansky's Yisrael B'Aliya Party merged today with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud, giving Likud 40 seats in the 120-member Knesset.

The two leaders signed an agreement to this effect today at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem.

As part of the deal Sharansky is to be named minister of Diaspora affairs and Jerusalem in Sharon's new governing coalition.

[Tax-chick]

Cool! I'm reading Sharansky's memoir right now; he's something else. Some great men in Israel ...

[anotherview]

Russian olim now obviously feel that they are part of the Israeli mainstream and no longer needed a separate party. That's the only reason I can see for Israel b'Aliyah falling to two mandates. Politically there never ghas been much difference between Prime Minister Sharon and Natan Sharansky. This merger makes sense.

[ambrose]

According to Peggy Noonan's book on Ronald Reagan, Sharansky and his fellow inmates found much inspiration from Reagan's anti-Communist speeches while they were in the gulags. It made them feel they were not alone.

[yonif]

That's a great fact.

[xm177e2]

Sharansky is awesome, he's amazing, he's wonderful... and now he's Likud! He should be PM, he has the moral depth the other candidates lack.