.. Sharon is now threatened by investigations

[LauraK]

JERUSALEM, Aug. 5 (JTA) — At the height of his powers, skillfully conducting a complex process of negotiation with the Palestinians and enjoying widespread popularity, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could be forced to resign over a string of financial scandals in which he and his sons are principal players. ..

What suddenly has telescoped the process and given it a more urgent time frame is Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein´s decision to leave office next January. Before he does, he is expected to issue a comprehensive report on the Sharon affairs.

Even if there is no criminal prosecution, Rubinstein´s condemnation of Sharon´s ethical conduct is likely to be so devastating that pressure will intensify on Sharon to resign, observers say.

Sharon and his sons have been named or investigated in four cases of suspected misdemeanor or felony: ..

Some leading politicians see a strong chance of Sharon being forced to resign. Shimon Peres, chairman of the opposition Labor Party, urged party colleagues to be ready for a change at the top.

More here

[jpak]

1. Bush, Sharon, Cheney etc

They're only in it for the money...

[Wwagsthedog]

2. Good Riddance

:bounce:

[StandWatie]

4. Netanyahu would likely replace him

this would not be an improvement to the Palestinians.

[Equinox]

6. Agreed. Netanyahu ideologically speaking....

Is further to the right of Sharon. Sharon might be a butcher militarily, but Bibi is a butcher politically.

[Aidoneus]

8. it is really, really tough to say..

but if there is going to be any peaceful settlement, Sharon is probably the best suited political figure to do it.

The major Labour party figures like Barak and Peres are discredited hypocrites, the "peace now" Left would just be shot by the fascist right, Netanyahu himself is a fascist clown, the mainstream religious & "Transfer Rulz!" parties wouldn't budge an inch if their G-d Himself came down and demanded it.. I guess the Bulldozer is "It", save a sudden and giant earthquake in public opinion. As a non-religious figure he's a nationalist interested in what is theorhetically best for Israel (note: I know, to him that's usually bombs and tanks being sent in all directions and lots of dead Arabs, a common trait to his long career..), and nobody except the most fanatical settler suffering from amnesia can call him "soft" if there is any decent compromise made. (which I doubt there ever will be, but hypothetically speaking..)

[Wonder]

9. umm...what kind of "peaceful settlement"

is Sharon best suited politically to achieve?

[Aidoneus]

10. I don't know

Well.. knowing him, probably something that involves bulldozers and tanks, but what kind of settlement would Labour hypocrites not-hammer out? Maybe Netanyahu would impose the solution that Milosevic or Putin would approve of, but that wouldn't be too helpful.

I know the Butcher of Beirut is better known for death and destroyed buildings than "peace", but I don't see a whole lot of anyone else major in Israeli politics that can do anything here, at least Sharon would have the potential clout to impose something outside of his character if the opportunity arose. The hypocrites Barak and Peres tried their hand at "peace" while bombing the fuck out of Lebanon on the side, they showed what they were capable of; a pacifistic leftist gov't would just be butchered by the fascist right if they manged to accomplish anything and nothing would change. :shrug:

[Wonder]

11. well gee judging from his actions not his words

and the cease-fire seems pretty much Kaput! I do not get Sharon is moving toward peace real fast and from my reading thus far I do tend to agree with the rest of your assessment, all I can think to say is, "oh-oo-oh what's peace got to do with it?"

[Aidoneus]

12. well, yeah

It was just in response to the thought of Sharon being dumped and who would replace him. As much as he's a career warlord and a magnet for death, I don't think there's any figure waiting to take over with a realistic chance to do anything decent/better..

If that PA minister's statement was right (in one of the other threads here) that was incredibly stupid of the GOI to refuse extending the ceasefire.. If it's just war that they want instead, I guess they've got the right guy for that too.

[mmm]

3. I hope he does hard time.

Lord knows he deserves all he can get and then some.

[finn]

5. this came out in the last election

the wrong doing of sharon and company of thieves.

[Darranar]

7. And nevertheless...

Likud got 36 seats in the Knesset. Oh, well. Perhaps they would have gotten 50 otherwise...

[Wonder]

13. darranar off topic

or as Dick tracy use to say HOLD EVERTHING:

Can you do another five word thread in the lounge. I liked that thread. It was fun, but you have to tell me when you do. Why do you think people tired of it so quickly though? That is a kind of thread that should never fall into oblivion. Don't ask what makes me think of this now. I couldn't tell you.

[Wonder]

14. never mind

someone kicked it yesterday.