Netanyahu wins primary, Sharon recovering
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-20 09:31

Sharon was at risk for stroke because of his age and obesity. He has never released his medical records, and a right-wing lawmaker and physician, Arieh Eldad, demanded that he do so now.

The doctors insisted that Sharon immediately start a diet, though his aides, who refused to disclose his weight, suggested that might be a difficult edict to enforce.

"He is a very opinionated man. He will make that decision on his own, just like he makes all other decisions," Cohen said.

Sharon received calls from President Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas also sent wishes for a speedy recovery.

Kadima officials insisted Sharon's illness wouldn't damage the party.

"The prime minister's leadership is the cornerstone of Kadima, and will continue to be," Justice Minister Tzipi Livni told Army Radio. But she said there is a "worthy coterie" of other leaders as well.

Hanan Crystal, a political analyst, said the toughest candidate against Sharon would likely be Netanyahu, who served as prime minister from 1996-1999 and is an experienced campaigner and polished public speaker.

"Netanyahu has already defeated a sitting prime minister (Peres in 1996), and he can do it again," Crystal told Israel Radio.

"We need to present an alternative to Sharon's policy of unilateral withdrawals that have brought Qassam (rockets) to Ashkelon," said Gideon Saar, a Likud faction chief, referring to rockets fired by militants in Gaza that exploded not far from the Israeli city.

Sharon did not speak to the media Monday, but Israeli newspapers said he called their reporters late Sunday to assure them he was fine.

Palestinian reaction was mixed, with some celebrating his illness and others hoping for his recovery.

Sharon is widely reviled for his connection to a 1982 massacre of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon by an Israeli-allied militia, and distrusted because of Israel's tough policies against Palestinian militants during the past five years of fighting.

But he also pulled Israel out of the Gaza Strip this summer, and many Palestinians believe he is the only politician who can lead Israel to make peace.

"Sharon started it, and if he doesn't finish, it will take a long time before a strong Israeli leader will come and make peace," said Naim Zarloul, a clothing store clerk in the Balata refugee camp in the northern West Bank.

But Abu Aziz, a leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades militant group in Balata, said he was "ready to throw a party and fire in the air" if Sharon dies.