Sharon Announces Election Campaign Staff

Sharon Announces Election Campaign Staff

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Israeli prime ministerial candidate Ariel Sharon, leader of the hawkish opposition Likud party, announced Monday his campaign staff and slogans for the upcoming elections on February 6.

At a press conference at Likud's headquarters in Tel Aviv, the 72-year-old Likud leader called on his supporters to run a "fair, moderate, and issue-focused" election campaign, Israel Radio reported.

The campaign will focus on the security issue and emphasize that it were Barak's mistakes that led to the bloody violence between Israelis and the Palestinians in the past 12 weeks, the report said.

It will also stress that only Sharon has the ability to bring a "true peace agreement" in light of his "military and diplomatic experience."

"We bring to the public a responsible and carefully considered alternative in contrast to the amateurism and irresponsibility characterizing Barak's government," said Sharon. Once elected, Sharon added, he will try to form a "wide, stable government."

Sharon said that Likud's young-generation lawmaker Silvan Shalom, a potential Likud leader in the future, will head his election campaign staff.

Veteran Likud legislator Meir Sheetrit will handle the public relations department, and Likud parliament whip Reuven Rivlin will coordinate the relations with immigrant parties, which are vital for Sharon's victory.

Another active Likud lawmaker, Limor Livnat, will lead the political strategy team and Knesset (parliament) member Uzi Landau will direct the operations in the election day. Meanwhile, Sharon's son, Omri Sharon, will head his father's personal staff.

It was reported that American campaign expert Arthur Finkelstein, who worked with former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the 1996 and 1999 campaigns, had arrived in Israel on Saturday and will help Sharon in the election.

Under the pressure of the opposition parties, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak resigned earlier this month and triggered a special election in 60 days.