Likud 'rebels' falling apart

Only seven of the 13 so-called Likud "rebels," who opposed the disengagement plan and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's policies, bothered to show up for a meeting at Likud headquarters in Tel Aviv Sunday evening, two weeks after they failed to bring forward the ruling party’s primaries..

"There is great importance for continuing the existence of the group of loyalists in order to safeguard the Likud way," a statement by the group said following the meeting.

However, it appears that what began as a large-scale rebellion has slowly become a small and weak voice.

"The group's members have no intention of accepting a (government) position or appointment, which is likely to be interpreted as legitimacy for the Likud's change in ideology and loss of direction," the statement said.

The "rebels" are in effect hoping to thwart a series of appointments Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is planning to offer as reward to his Likud objectors who choose to rejoin his camp.

"The group will convene and decide ad hoc on all issues," the statement added, referring to a series of votes in the next Knesset session.

The group's first test will be the vote on minister Ehud Olmert's permanent appointment as finance minister, as well as the vote regarding the appointments of Sharon's close associates Ronnie Bar-On and Ze'ev Boim as government ministers. 

Long list of excuses

A variety of excuses served the MKs who failed to show up for the meeting to justify their absence.

MK Haim Katz had "prior engagements," but sources close to him said "the rebels saga is over," unless Sharon announces another disengagement. Katz went as far as saying he intends to back the planned appointment of MKs Bar-On and Boim as ministers.

MK Moshe Kahlon said he did not consider the meeting to be an urgent matter. He also claimed that contrary to reports, none of Sharon's close associates have approached him on the matter of a ministerial appointment.

Yehiel Hazan, formerly one of the PM's loudest opponents, has apparently reversed his stance. The MK's media adviser said that Hazan was unable to attend the meeting due to a family event, but stressed that he did not withdraw from any of his principal standpoints. However, members of the “rebel” group claimed that Hazan was attempting to fall into line with the PM.

MK Leah Ness also missed the meeting, and her fellow-rebels said she simply disappeared, and that she "wouldn’t even return our calls." Uzi Landau, probably the rebel with the best excuse for not attending, is staying abroad "to raise funds."