Sharon and Israeli PoliticsIsrael and Palestine
Two leaders dominate this discussion -- Yasser Arafat and Ariel Sharon -- even while the US and Israel try to promote Abu mazen.
There is little need to document the shortcomings of Yasser Arafat -- they are covered every day in the American press.
... But what about the other partner in the peace? What kind of man is Ariel Sharon? What's his history? What's the mentality and political picture in Israel under his leadership?
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Israel's attorney general decides not to file charges against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, but indicted his son, Omri
Excite News: "Sharon Avoids Charges in Funding Case; Son Indicted | Feb 17, 6:51 AM (ET) | By Megan Goldin
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's attorney general decided not to file charges against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a campaign funding scandal but indicted his son on Thursday, the Justice Ministry said. ....
...
While Sharon emerged unscathed, his son and close adviser Omri, 40, was indicted on criminal charges including fraud, breach of trust and perjury. A legal expert told Israel Radio he could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Sharon had denied any wrongdoing in the funding case, saying his two sons alone handled financing for his 1999 primary campaign for leadership of the right-wing Likud party. Sharon's sons had remained silent on the scandal.
"The attorney general decided to close due to insufficient evidence the investigation as matters relate to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon," the ministry said in a statement.
Cases were also dropped against two of his former senior advisers, Dov Weisglass and Uri Shani.
Prosecutors will have to ask the Knesset to lift parliamentary immunity for Omri Sharon, a member of the assembly, to put him on trial.
Sharon and his sons also face a separate investigation into allegations that a $1.5 million loan from a South African businessman was used as collateral to repay alleged illicit contributions to his primary race. ...
Excite News: "Sharon Avoids Charges in Funding Case; Son Indicted | Feb 17, 6:51 AM (ET) | By Megan Goldin
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's attorney general decided not to file charges against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a campaign funding scandal but indicted his son on Thursday, the Justice Ministry said. ....
...
While Sharon emerged unscathed, his son and close adviser Omri, 40, was indicted on criminal charges including fraud, breach of trust and perjury. A legal expert told Israel Radio he could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Sharon had denied any wrongdoing in the funding case, saying his two sons alone handled financing for his 1999 primary campaign for leadership of the right-wing Likud party. Sharon's sons had remained silent on the scandal.
"The attorney general decided to close due to insufficient evidence the investigation as matters relate to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon," the ministry said in a statement.
Cases were also dropped against two of his former senior advisers, Dov Weisglass and Uri Shani.
Prosecutors will have to ask the Knesset to lift parliamentary immunity for Omri Sharon, a member of the assembly, to put him on trial.
Sharon and his sons also face a separate investigation into allegations that a $1.5 million loan from a South African businessman was used as collateral to repay alleged illicit contributions to his primary race. ...
Friday, February 11, 2005
Israel's Netanyahu Attacked at Wedding: 'Murderer, your day will come' : Sharon told his wife is waiting for him
Excite News: "Israel's Netanyahu Attacked at Wedding | Feb 11, 7:44 AM (ET) | By Ori Lewis
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Supporters of Jewish settlers attacked Benjamin Netanyahu at a wedding but the former Israeli prime minister escaped unhurt, police and media said Friday.
A small group vehemently opposed to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw Israelis from the Gaza Strip shouted at Netanyahu: 'Murderer, your day will come' in the Thursday evening incident, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth said.
Reports said a plate was thrown at Netanyahu, now finance minister, at the wedding in the ultra-Orthodox village of Kfar Habad near Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv and a police spokesman said a tire on his car was slashed."
...
Sharon told fellow Likud party members Thursday of threats he had received over his Gaza plan.
He said he had heard slogans saying that his late wife, Lili, was waiting for him to join her. He berated fellow ministers for not speaking out against the threats.
"I was shocked, but what has stunned me even more was that I did not see any minister or member of parliament open their mouth on the matter," Sharon said.
Excite News: "Israel's Netanyahu Attacked at Wedding | Feb 11, 7:44 AM (ET) | By Ori Lewis
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Supporters of Jewish settlers attacked Benjamin Netanyahu at a wedding but the former Israeli prime minister escaped unhurt, police and media said Friday.
A small group vehemently opposed to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw Israelis from the Gaza Strip shouted at Netanyahu: 'Murderer, your day will come' in the Thursday evening incident, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth said.
Reports said a plate was thrown at Netanyahu, now finance minister, at the wedding in the ultra-Orthodox village of Kfar Habad near Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv and a police spokesman said a tire on his car was slashed."
...
Sharon told fellow Likud party members Thursday of threats he had received over his Gaza plan.
He said he had heard slogans saying that his late wife, Lili, was waiting for him to join her. He berated fellow ministers for not speaking out against the threats.
"I was shocked, but what has stunned me even more was that I did not see any minister or member of parliament open their mouth on the matter," Sharon said.
