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Police to question Israel?s Sharon over scandal
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Police to question Israel?s Sharon over scandal
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon faces police questioning yesterday about a bribery scandal over which he may eventually face criminal charges.
A businessman friend was charged last month with trying to bribe Sharon in the 1990s and prosecutors have said they should decide within months whether to indict the prime minister too ? a move many analysts believe would force him from office.
Commentators said the case could weaken Sharon?s hand in any talks with the Palestinians on reviving a US-backed peace ?road map? stalled by violence.
Sharon denies any wrongdoing in a string of corruption scandals that have failed to dent popularity he has won for tough measures to break a three-year-old Palestinian uprising.
In the Gaza Strip, a militant group, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said one of its fighters was killed during an attack on an Israeli convoy late on Wednesday. The Israeli army had no immediate comment.
Police sources said Sharon would be questioned about the so-called ?Greek Island Affair? but gave no further details. Israeli media said questioning would take place at the prime minister?s official residence in Jerusalem.
Some critics have suggested that Sharon?s surprise announcement this week of a plan to get settlers out of the Gaza Strip might aim to divert attention from the scandal, a notion the prime minister has denied.
Few analysts expect a dramatic development in the case on Thursday. Sharon, 75, has rejected opposition calls to resign over the affair and vowed to stay in office at least until the next election in 2007.
On Wednesday, Sharon said he was prepared to hold a referendum before carrying out his plans to dismantle 17 of the 21 Jewish enclaves in Gaza where 7,500 Jews live amid 1.3 million Palestinians.
Jon Immanuel
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