Sharon wins again as Israel’s Left collapses

Results showed Likud storming back into power, replacing Labour as the biggest party in Parliament, as Israel swung to the Right. Labour endured its worst defeat in 54 years of Israeli history. It fell to 19 seats from 25 in the 120-member Parliament, reflecting Israelis’ fury at the party having put its faith in Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to make peace.

Labour’s former partner in peace moves, the Leftist Meretz party, was shown winning six seats, down from 10, while Likud soared to 37, up from 19 in the current Knesset.

The Shinui party swept into third place, with 15 seats, up from six, on a pledge to deny ultra-orthodox Jewish parties their historical role as political power brokers able to demand state cash and benefits.

President Moshe Katzav is expected to ask Sharon to form a new government to tackle a deep economic crisis and the Palestinian revolt for an independent state. ‘‘This is a heavy blow to a peaceful settlement. The Israelis have committed a historic mistake which they and the Palestinians will regret,’’ Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said.

Sharon’s campaign aide Lior Horev said that the Prime Minister would within three weeks forge a government of Right-wing, religious and Centrist parties that could give him up to 68 seats, a narrow majority, in Parliament.

The future of peacemaking with the Palestinians will be shaped largely by which parties join Sharon’s coalition. A government joined by ultra-nationalists could harden Sharon’s already tough line against the Palestinian uprising.

Sharon will have 28 days to form a government but can be given up to 14 more days if, as expected, he finds it difficult to build a coalition. If Sharon fails, Katzav will ask another newly elected member of Parliament to try. (Reuters)