Israel press mulls possible Sharon defeat

The Israeli press considers what a defeat for Prime Minister Sharon in Sunday's referendum would mean for him as a leader and for the country.

Although commentators appear divided on the merits of the plan itself, many say that even if Mr Sharon loses the poll, he will find a way to safeguard his position.

In a commentary in Yediot Aharonot, Mr Sharon himself writes that there is only one path to take.

"In the life of a prime minister there are moments in which he is asked to take hard decisions," he says.

"It is impossible to be behind me but against the plan I am advocating because... this is the only way can I fulfil my promise to bring security and peace. Whoever believes in me must vote for the disengagement plan. There is no other way."

Repercussions

But in the opinion of former Likud Defence Minister Moshe Arens, Sharon's plan cancels out his "significant successes against Palestinian terrorists" and gives them further encouragement.

There will be significant repercussions within the internal power structure Harts

"Likudniks can go to the polls on 2 May considering only one question: Is a unilateral withdrawal likely to encourage Palestinian terrorists? The answer seems obvious," Mr Arens writes in Haaretz.

An editorial in the same newspaper says that whatever the outcome on Sunday, the Israeli political landscape will undergo a major shift.

"Whatever the result, there will be significant repercussions within the internal power structure," the paper says.

"Those who support the settlements cannot be partners in a government that disengages from the settlements. Those who support peace cannot be partners in a government that does not have the political power to take a hesitant step in the direction of peace."

'Leadership'

But a commentary in Maariv agrees with the prime minister that the pullout plan is a safeguard for stability.

"The disengagement plan is the required minimum to preserve the unity of this people against unprecedented difficult future tests," Dan Margalit writes.

Sharon would lose his leadership at home and his credibility in the world Shalom Yerushalmi, Maariv

According to a commentator in Yediot Aharonot, Likud voters will back Mr Sharon even if they feel shy about saying so.

"Likud members feel ashamed to admit that they support the dismantlement of settlements and withdrawal from the occupied territories, and therefore tell pollsters they oppose the plan. When they go to the ballot box - when no one's looking - they'll vote for it," Nehama Dowek predicts.

As for Mr Sharon himself, his political career will be over if the vote fails, a commentary in Ma'ariv says.

"He would lose his leadership at home and his credibility in the world. He would be considered a lame duck, because he would not now start work on an alternative political plan after his flagship plan sank at the ballot box," Shalom Yerushalmi writes.

'Mr Comeback'

But according to a commentator in Yediot Aharonot, a defeat for Mr Sharon would create "a wave of regret" in Likud.

"Sharon could repackage his plan with minor changes and bring it to the government for approval and implementation," Nahum Barnea says.

The polls predict a defeat but Sharon, it must be remembered, is Mr Comeback Aluf Benn, Haaretz

Maariv's Ben Kaspit pays tribute to Mr Sharon's staying power, recalling that he did not resign after an inquiry into the Sabra and Shatila massacres.

"What will Sharon do if he loses? Sharon will not resign. A man who did not resign when faced with a committee of inquiry... will not go home because of Likud members in an irrelevant, non-binding vote. By the way, he could also win."

A commentary in Ha'aretz adds that although Mr Sharon does face defeat, he would find a way to return.

"The polls predict a defeat but Sharon, it must be remembered, is Mr Comeback," Aluf Benn says.

"During his long career in the military and government he suffered more blows that anyone but always came back strengthened. That's why we should not write his obituary until the last minute, and even then, he might find some ruse to return."

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