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February 9, 2001/Shevet 16, 5761, Vol. 53, No.19
Sharon secures massive victory
NAOMI SEGAL
In one of the more remarkable comebacks in Israeli political history, former Gen. Ariel Sharon completed the long road back from the disgrace of the Lebanon War when voters overwhelmingly chose him as prime minister of Israel. |
| Leaders stand with Israel |
Voter turnout Feb. 6 was just 62 percent, the lowest in the nation's history. Israeli turnout generally is about 80 percent, among the highest rates in the democratic world.
Much of the Israeli Arab community - 12 percent of the electorate and a major source of support for Barak in the last election - boycotted the vote. Israeli Arabs are angry at Barak over the fatal shooting by police of 13 Israeli Arabs during pro-Palestinian riots in October.
Also contributing to Sharon's victory was the fervently Orthodox community, which overwhelmingly supported him after the spiritual leaders of the haredi parties gave Sharon their endorsement - or, more accurately, urged their followers to vote against Barak.
President Bush congratulated Sharon, telling the newly elected premier that he looked forward to working with him to bring "peace and stability" to the Middle East, the White House said.
Bush placed the telephone call to Sharon shortly after Barak conceded defeat.
Initial Arab reaction to Sharon's victory was cautious.
Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat said he respects the choice of the Israeli people, and hopes the new Israeli government formed by Sharon would continue the negotiations and respect agreements already signed with the Palestinians.
But Palestinian Authority official Yasser Abed Rabbo called the election of Sharon the most "foolish event" in Israeli history.
The mood at Sharon headquarters the night of Feb. 6 was predictably jubilant. Some people held signs thanking God for the Likud leader's victory. Others declared that the Oslo peace process was over.
But the latter assessment may prove premature.
In a sharp divergence from his hawkish image, Sharon positioned himself during the campaign as a peacemaker, and many Israelis will expect him to follow through.
Just the same, it is unclear how far the peace process will progress under a Sharon government.
He said during the campaign that he would not negotiate if Palestinian violence continues, and he also vowed not to agree to the concessions Barak was reportedly willing to consider.
During his victory speech, Sharon followed through on his campaign promise to form a national unity government, calling on the Labor Party to join him "in pursuing the difficult path toward security and peace."
He also called on the Palestinians to "cast off the path of violence and return to the path of dialogue."