Prime Minister Ariel Sharon returned home from New York today and will face a battle for his political survival. His ruling Likud faction is due to meet next week to decide on a date to choose a party leader. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to oust Sharon in an attempt to punish him for dismantling 21 Gaza settlements. In a speech to American Jewish leaders, Sharon lashed out at his Likud opponents, describing them as "radical extremists." "There is a complex political struggle with awful incitement going on in Israel because a minority of the nation was acting against the disengagement," Sharon said.