HAARETZ 1. Shalom called Netanyahu and congratulated him on his primary victory; poll: Feiglin strengthens. APPARENT: NETANYAHU CHOSEN TO LEAD LIKUD. 2. SHARON TO BE DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL THIS MORNING; HIS DOCTOR: EVENT HAS LEFT NO DAMAGE. 3. SYRIA CONSIDERING CEDING SHABA FARMS TO LEBANON IN ORDER TO PRESSURE ISRAEL. HATZOFEH 1. NETANYAHU CHOSEN TO HEAD LIKUD. According to results as of press time – Netanyahu clearly leading in struggle for Likud leadership. According to Israel Radio poll: Netanyahu – 47%, Silvan Shalom – 32%, Feiglin – 15% and Katz – 6%. Voter turnout – 40%. 2. SHARON SUFFERED FROM SPEECH DIFFICULTY. Channel 2 reported that PM suffered from speech difficulties all night and into the morning. Sharon to undergo additional tests soon. Calls in political establishment to reveal Sharon’s medical file. 3. IDF FOILS TWO BOMB ATTACKS. 4. OCTOBER UNEMPLOYMENT – 8.9%. 5. KATSAV CALLS TO CORRECT EVACUATION-COMPENSATION LAW OUTRAGES. 6. YANIV KATAN TO WEST HAM. MA’ARIV 1. Last night: Benjamin Netanyahu chosen to head Likud. BIBI’S LIKUD. (…). Seven years after losing power, Netanyahu reconquered what’s left of the Likud. „The way back to leading the country starts here,” he said in victory speech. 2. GOING HOME. Today: Sharon leaving internal medicine ward. Hospital: „His consciousness was not impaired when he arrived, he was not paralyzed and in professional terms, he was not confused.” But medical staff claims: „He didn’t know what day it was or where he was. One doesn’t have to say everything but to give incorrect information is problematic.” 3. Ma’ariv-Teleseker/TNS poll last night: KADIMA LEAPS AHEAD. Kadima – 42 seats; Labor – 22 seats; Likud – 13 seats. Despite stroke: Kadima strengthening. If Sharon were to quit and Livni were to replace him, Kadima would receive 30 seats. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. After six years in political low point, 56,000 Likud members awarded victory to Benjamin Netanyahu. NETANYAHU’S LIKUD. „I have come to tell you that today, the Likud is starting its way back to leading the country,” new Likud Chairman told supporters after midnight. Loser Silvan Shalom: „I’m at Bibi’s disposal,” his activists: „We’ll vote for Sharon.” Netanyahu’s first move: Withdraw Likud ministers from Government. Assessment: Netanyahu will work to oust Sharon with 61 MKs. Shock: Feiglin succeeded in passing Shalom in Jerusalem. 2. SHARON GOING HOME. Doctors: „We very much want Sharon to rest but he is fit to function as Prime minister.” Aides: „This time he will need to go on a diet.” (…). 3. Yediot Ahronot-Mina Tzemach/Dahaf poll last night: 91% – SHARON’S STROKE WON’T AFFECT OUR VOTE. Kadima – 39 seats, Labor – 21 seats, Likud – 13 seats. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot believes that, „Sharon feels and understands that the average Israeli citizen wishes to separate from the territories, with or without an agreement with the Palestinians, and has – therefore – charged him with leading the nation towards the desired separation and withdrawal.” Hatzofeh characterizes Kadima as lacking any collective leadership and of being completely dependent on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The editors wonder how Prime Minister Sharon’s recent mild stroke will affect both his ability to lead the country and Kadima’s development as a party.
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