Israeli politics have entered a new era following a succession of political upsets which has recast the party landscape and will guarantee a hotly contested campaign ahead of snap elections due next March, writes Nuala Haughey in Jerusalem.
The latest and most dramatic development came yesterday with prime minister Ariel Sharon's bold move, just four months ahead of polling day, to quit his rightist Likud party and form a new centrist alliance.
Mr Sharon's huge gamble to go to the electorate as leader of a new National Responsibility Party sent shock waves through the political establishment yesterday and has paved the way for elections next March, eight months ahead of schedule.
The popular leader has for months been battling self-styled "rebels" on the right of his party who opposed his unilateral move last August to withdraw settlers from the Gaza Strip. The rebels have been led by Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Sharon's arch rival who is likely to succeed him as leader of what remains of Likud.
Announcing the reasons for his decision last night, Mr Sharon (77) said staying in Likud would mean wasting time on political in-fighting, while his new "national liberal movement" would give Israel fresh hope for stability, security, economic prosperity and peace.
He reiterated his commitment to the stalled road map for peace. Mr Sharon, the former champion of the settler movement, also added that he would not make any further unilateral moves to vacate settlements in the West Bank.
Mr Sharon, who helped found Likud in 1973, had by last night attracted 14 of its 40 members of parliament to his new alliance.