(Yossi verter-Haaretz)....Netanyahu is far from being in the shoes of Sharon, who lost the right in one fell swoop when he spoke of occupation and later initiated the disengagement. Last night he received the unequivocal backing of two right-wingers who opposed the disengagement: Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar, a very important Likud figure, and Minister Yuli Edelstein, a resident of the settlement Elon Shvut. However, while Sharon became the world's darling after he radically changed his ways, it is highly doubtful that Netanyahu will enjoy the same maneuvering room that the father of the settlements had.
Netanyahu positioned himself last night in a more central location. Where will he go now? He is aiming for the U.S. and President Obama. If it were up to him, he would be glad to bear the Likud's criticism and let the right blow its steam over the next day, accusing him of going too far. That way, he would enjoy both worlds: He would receive credit from Obama, but not have to pay the cost in terms of his coalition.
