Palestinians fear turmoil after Sharon news

Palestinian leaders anxiously followed reports on Ariel Sharon’s deteriorating health tonight, fearing the prime minister’s departure from the political scene could worsen turmoil in the West Bank and Gaza and perhaps even derail this month’s elections there.

The Israeli leader is still widely reviled in the Arab world, but reactions among ordinary Palestinians were largely subdued. A few schoolchildren handed out candy in a Gaza refugee camp and hoisted posters saying, “Death to Sharon.”