2006, January The political landscape changed in both Israel and the Palestinian territories. Sharon was in a coma after a massive brain haemorrhage, his powers transferring to Ehud Olmert. Hamas then trounced Fatah in parliamentary elections. The two eventually formed an uneasy (and short-lived) coalition with Hamas' Ismail Haniyeh as PM and Fatah's Abbas as president. Israel refused to deal with it, citing Hamas' non-recognition of Israel.
Pictured, Olmert sits next to Sharon's empty chair during an emergency cabinet meeting
Photograph: Lior Mizrahi/Reuters
The Guardian
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