Background: Min. Uzi Landau to Debate PM Sharon on Retreat
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 14 April 2004

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is slated to debate Likud Minister Uzi Landau in
two debates on his retreat plan organized by Sharon's team to be held in
Haifa and Holon prior to the Likud May 2 referendum.

Landau reportedly wanted to hold more than two debates, but Sharon's office
refused.

Uzi Landau, born 1943 in Haifa, is a systems analyst by profession and holds
a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and B.Sc. and M.Sc.
degrees from the Technion in Haifa. He has been an MK since 1984.

In the last election Landau was #10 on the Likud list (in contrast, Deputy
Prime Minister Olmert was # 32).

Landau now serves as Minister Without Portfolio. Under his leadership as
Minister of Internal Security the police revolutionized their treatment of
Israeli Arab disturbances, opting to minimize police-civilian confrontation
while heavily documenting violations of the law so that arrests could be
made later. The level of violence radically dropped after several rounds of
this approach (the police would come in the middle of the night after a
disturbance to arrest the rioters - family members protesting the arrest
were showed police photos of their loved ones violating the law).

Landau, who is a member of the board of Si'ah Vasig - the Israel Debating
Society, is known as a sharp speaker who can think on his feet, exploiting
the depth of the positions he holds.

As the son of Likud leader Haim Landau, Uzi Landau is considered a Likud
"prince". His spotless reputation within the Likud will make it difficult
for Sharon to engage in such tactics as character assassination and
ridicule.

It is expected that regardless of the relative performances of the two
debaters that the media will proclaim Sharon the victor.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il