Polls over the past year have consistently shown Sharon beating Netanyahu, but this latest tally found that in a three-way race between Sharon, Netanyahu and MK Uzi Landau, the veteran leader of the Likud anti-disengagement camp, Netanyahu would win 35 percent of the vote - compared to 29 percent for Sharon and 17 percent for Landau.

Forty percent of Likud Party members are needed to win in the first round, avoiding a runoff.

Furthermore, according to the report, if Landau were to drop out of the race, or in the event of a runoff between Sharon and Netanyahu, most of Landau's supporters would switch to Netanyahu - giving him 47 percent of the vote, to 33 percent for Sharon.

The poll reflects that a majority of Likud members view a unilateral withdrawal under fire as a violation of everything the Likud has stood for.

The poll has re-sparked speculation that Sharon may consider splitting the Likud and merging his supporters with Labor and Shinui to form a new "centrist" party.

It is believed by some that such a party could win running against a weakened, Netanyahu-led Likud.

Editor's note:
Get your Web site listed on NewsMax.com – reach millions for pennies! Click Here Now!

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics: