NIXON IN CHINA:

Sharon to Likud MKs: Palestinian statehood inevitable (Gil Hoffman, Feb. 5, 2003, Jerusalem Post)

The Likud party's 38 lawmakers held their first formal meeting today since being elected to the 16th Knesset a week ago, convening at Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office.

Communications Minister Reuven Rivlin confirmed that Sharon intends to demand that anyone who wants a cabinet post commit to his policy of supporting eventual Palestinian statehood. Sharon later said that he viewed Palestinian statehood as inevitable, although he added that any diplomatic developments concerning the issue would be brought before the government.

Mr. Sharon is halfway there: now he just has to announce that statehood will be on Israel's unilateral terms. Posted by Orrin Judd at February 5, 2003 10:38 PM