Polls show Sharon and Likud in the lead ahead of Israel’s January vote

by Greg Myre
The Associated Press

JERUSALEM ^— Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Likud Party is favored to emerge as Israel’s strongest faction in an abbreviated election campaign, and Sharon holds a slim edge over his main rival for party leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, according to polls published yesterday.

Israel’s political turmoil has been the focus this week, but there’s been no letup in Mideast violence. A Palestinian laborer shot and killed two Israelis, including his employer, in the Gaza Strip settlement of Slav yesterday before being gunned down by a security guard. The militant group Hamas claimed responsibility.

Despite a long rivalry with Sharon, former Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to serve as foreign minister in Sharon’s caretaker government. Parliament approved the appointment in a 61-31 vote yesterday.

Another new appointment, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, talked by telephone to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the Defense Ministry said.

Though they are facing in a primary election, Netanyahu said he saw no problem in working with Sharon before or after that ballot.

“Both of us have served as foreign minister, both of us have served as prime minister and I have no doubt that we can work perfectly well together,” Netanyahu said.

However, Netanyahu said he and Sharon should make a joint statement saying the winner of the upcoming Likud party leadership race can count on the other’s support.

In Israel’s tumultuous politics, such unlikely alliances are common.

The caretaker government will be in office less than three months and is not expected to make major policy decisions.