Sharon Wins....
From the Guardian:
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon narrowly fended off a challenge within his own party Monday in a vote widely seen as a referendum on his leadership following the contentious withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Members of the right-wing Likud Party voted 1,433 to 1,329 - a margin of 104 votes - against a proposal by Sharon's opponents to move up the date of party primaries to November. The results, announced by the party, mean the primary will be held on schedule next spring, as Sharon wanted.
The vote, which Sharon won 52 percent to 48 percent, was seen as a referendum on his leadership of Likud, the party Sharon helped found more than three decades ago. Led by his main rival, Benjamin Netanyahu, party hard-liners have accused Sharon of abandoning the Likud's nationalist roots by withdrawing from Gaza.
Netanyahu, who had wanted an early primary to capitalize on anger over the Gaza withdrawal, conceded defeat but said Sharon cannot ignore the strong opposition against him within the party. Despite the setback, Netanyahu said he still planned to run in next spring's primary in an effort to oust Sharon.
Never say never in Israeli politics but it looks like Bibi's done.
Also, a pretty big moment in the confidence in Sharon. As much as I have disagreed with him, the leadership to have the pullout has been admirable.
What do you the ramifications will be?