Külügyi Szemle - A Teleki László Intézet Külpolitikai Tanulmányok Központja folyóirata - 2003 (2. évfolyam)
2003 / 1. szám - KÖZEL-KELET - Gazdik Gyula: The evolution of the Israeli party system
Gyula Gazdik had entertained the idea of rejoining the Sharon-led national unity government following the elections. For the time being, Mitzna opposes this idea and advocates the return to former Labour Party traditions, based on values and political and moral renewal of political life. On the other hand, he stipulates that Sharon would not be able to handle the enduring division of the right wing camp, the complex nature of the peace-making processes and the looming economic and social crisis. While in opposition, the Labour Party would be able to build up grassroots support for the next •elections. Mitzna's campaign strategy had not taken into account every eventuality. Consequently, the confusion with respect to the inconsistencies in his speeches, uncoordinated statements delivered by other party leaders and the ostensible split within the party's ranks led to the gradual decline of the party's popularity.39 Meanwhile, the leadership contest in the ranks of the ruling party had intensified between Sharon and Binjamin Netanyahu. For months, the former prime minister had targeted Sharon's performance with a barrage of criticisms. He had accused the premier - among others - of neglecting socio-economic issues, inconsistency with respect to military actions against the Palestinians and of endangering national security by accepting the notion of an independent Palestinian state. In May, the Likud Central Committee rejected the creation of a Palestinian State and - apart from a loss in prestige - Sharon survived unscathed. The dual between Netanyahu and Sharon had not damaged the prime minister's popularity. He had carefully avoided any statements that may have alienated the radical right wing camp of Netanyahu's supporters. Whereas he shared some of their views, he did not want to become politically dependent on this group, since this eventuality would have restricted his manoeuvring competences and damage the good relations with Washington - the latter had not been a characteristic feature of either the Shamir or the Netanyahu period. Following the departure of the Labour ministers, Sharon tried to pacify his party rival by offering him the foreign-ministerial post. Consequently, Netanyahu faced a dilemma: by refusing the post, he could, on the one hand be charged with abandoning his party7s government at a critical moment in time, and by accepting the offer he would have to soften his critique of the prime minister, on the other. Finally, chose to accept the offer and entered the party presidential race in the November 28 elections; however, he lost to Sharon by 15 per cent.40 The contest had served the purpose of underscoring the large degree of voter support and benchmarking the composition of the party list. Netanyahu became second in the Likud CC's December 8 party list elections and - to Sharon's annoyance - his followers also gained prominent positions.41 Consequently - stipulating a possible election victory - several politicians that defected from the Likud earlier, rejoined the party? to battle for „realistic" positions.42 During this period the opinion polls had forecast over 40 mandates for the Likud - a landslide victory compared to the 1999 election results. However, this trend 56 Külügyi Szemle
