Labor Party set to join Sharon's Likud in coalition; Peres likely to oversee settlers' withdrawal from West Bank, Gaza.(WORLD)

0 Comments | Washington Times, The, December, 2004

Byline: Joshua Mitnick, THE WASHINGTON TIMES TEL AVIV - Israel's opposition Labor Party signaled yesterday it would join Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's ruling Likud party in a government that will evacuate Jewish settlers from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. "I think at the end of the day there will be a national unity government," said Yuli Tamir, a prominent Labor lawmaker who has balked in the past at joining Mr.

Sharon in a new coalition. "We don't want to go to elections." Labor is set to meet tonight to formally approve talks with Mr. Sharon. Lawmakers said Labor Chairman Shimon Peres is expected to get a Cabinet portfolio that would put him in charge of overseeing either the withdrawal from settlements or potential peace negotiations. That...