ABSTRACT
Ariel Sharon and David Levy, who viewed themselves as better suited than the youngsters to lead the Likud, were frustrated and angry over the results of their struggles throughout the 1980s. Although they enjoyed a larger base of support among the party's Central Committee than Shamir, Arens, and the veterans did, their status around the cabinet table was dwarfed. The rebels demanded that various constraints be put in place for the Shamir-Rabin plan at the Central Committee elections. In this way, they hoped to cause Labor to pull out of the national unity government, thereby freeing up the ministries of Defense and Finance. Uri Shani took out a pair of pliers that he had brought along in his pocket, and disconnected Shamir's microphone, allowing Sharon to announce a vote of his own on the constraints. Both leaders stood on the stage, facing the crowd and seeking its support.
