Polls show Sharon returning to PM's seat
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-22 20:00

Sharon's decision to pull out of Gaza this summer touched off a revolt within Likud. Rebels failed to block the withdrawal, but seeking revenge for Sharon's perceived treachery, fought him in parliament at every turn.

In a nationally televised news conference Monday where he announced his political plans, Sharon said Israel's recent unilateral pullout from the Gaza Strip created a historic opportunity to get back on the path to peace.

"I will not allow anyone to squander it," he said.

Although Sharon has now thrown off the constraints of Likud hawks, peacemaking in the short term will be put on hold by Israel's elections and Jan. 25 balloting for the Palestinian parliament.

Netanyahu, who hasn't spoken publicly in months, lashed out at Sharon on Tuesday, calling him a dictator. Sharon, he said, is a leader who pursued one-man rule, who apparently doesn't recognize democracy, and is setting up a party of puppets.