Hours after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called early elections, right-wing challenger Mr Benjamin Netanyahu launched his own campaign to lead Israel, vowing to get tough on the Palestinians.
Appearing on television, Mr Netanyahu wasted no time flashing his hawkish credentials in the run-up to a Likud Party vote that will decide which of the two men heads the party list in a general election expected on January 28th.
Mr Netanyahu (53) is due to be sworn today as foreign minister in Mr Sharon's minority government, returning to a political stage he largely abandoned after the Labour Party's Mr Ehud Barak ousted him as prime minister in a 1999 election.
Mr Sharon (74) yesterday announced he was calling an early general election after the centre-left Labour Party, including Foreign Minister Mr Shimon Peres, left his coalition last week in a dispute over funding for Jewish settlements on occupied land.
Palestinian officials and European Union diplomats voiced concern Mr Sharon's decision to hold elections nine months ahead of schedule would stir more turmoil in the Middle East at a time when Washington is threatening war with Iraq.
"This puts off any serious peace effort before the elections ... Israeli political infighting, both between the parties and within each of the parties, will make progress impossible for now," an EU diplomat said.
A parliamentary committee is to set the election date today - with January 28th the likeliest choice.