The current leading party in Israel, the Likud party, ignored pleas from Prime Minister Sharon today in their vote to oppose the formation of a Palestinian state. This does not bode well for Mr. Sharon's continued leadership of the Likud party or the country in general. This party decision, supported by former prime minister Netanyahu, will simply cause the chances for full-scale war to increase. I am far from a fan of the PLO/PA/et al. However, the original decision to create Israel from the British controlled mandate included the formation of the state for Palestinians. As Sharon states, it is inevitable that one will be formed if peace is ever to be achieved in the region. Here's hoping that cooler heads will rule the day in the end.