Sharon the Tactical?

Ariel Sharon, Israel's beleagured Prime Minister dissolved Parliament today in order to call snap elections. His reason for this move was that he was leaving his party, Likud Party which he founded himself. Needless to say, this has thrown another curve into the roadmap that is aiming to acheive an Israel-Palestine peace deal.

What brings on this sudden move when just two days ago elections were rumoured to be set for March? The reasons are complicated and as intriguing as the actions of the PM.

The most pressing reason for Sharon's split from his own party is obviously because he has lost their support to a great degree. His outright decision to leave his party and form another one shows to what extent he has lost support within his own ranks. This loss of support has occured just in the past few months as the roadmap to peace has been gathering some steam. Sharon has been accused to pandering to American interests, giving up way too much to the Palestinians and being unfaithful to his own people. These allegations relate directly to his decision t withdraw some Israeli settlements from Gaza, areas that are now under Palestinian jurisdiction. Although many people don't look upon these moves as truly significant and even close to what should e untimately given up by Israel, the moves caused mass hysteria and considerable anger. Sharon has lost many political allies and numerous contituencies to these decisions.

Moreover, Sharon has been dogged by such politicians as Uzi Landau and former prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for over his economic, political and and social connections. They have accused him of cronyism, of backward ideas and sleuth-like national programs. These attacks from prominent Likud members on their own leader have been damaging and unfavorable. Coincidentally, these two gentlemen will now run for leadership of the Likud party.

Couple these facts with what has been happening in the opposition camp, and one begins to understand what Sharon is doing and intends to do. Last December, the Labour and Likud parties formed a unity government in another close election blunder for Sharon. However, the ship was stabilised and a unity government was put in place. This past month however, a new leader emerged from the ranks to take over the leadership of the labour party. Born a Morroccan Jew, Amir Peretz has created a storm around himself, taking a nation starving for new political topics in his grasp and insipiring many to take notice. He has rounded up those that have been alienated by Sharon, those that have opposed his policies, and those that are sick of hearing of the Israeli-Palestinian divide. He looks to address politics within Israel itself promising to attack povery and social deprivation.

Peretz has Israel firmly in his grips at this moment and sitting as leader of the opposition he will only go from strength to strength gaining more time to rally his followers and attack the Prime Minister. Seeing this, Sharon has decided to scrap the idea of a March election, instead he has called one immediately. This takes Peretz by surprise, ensure that Sharon is still calling the shots and puts Peretz on a defensive footing as he tries to hammer out a platform and choose allies that will run in the various municipalities.

Sharon's move is a stroke of genius, the stuff that veteran politicians are made of and feed off. He has instantly regained control of the limelight making Peretz look like a deer in the headlights. Sharon hopes to recruit Shimon Peres into his new party, whatever that may be. if he is successful recruiting Peres, it will goa long way in ensuring that he stays in power for another four years.

This Israeli election is more important than many before, there is a new Palestinian leadership in place and a significant change in Israeli politics will lead to fresh talks and renewed optimism that maybe, just maybe a deal can be struck and implemented within this decade.

Sharon however, has no plans of leaving a watered down mark on Israeli politics. This will be a hard fought election and the fate of much more than certain Israeli parties depends upon it. Let the mudslinging begin.