JERUSALEM , 8 June 2004 — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s brittle coalition survived no-confidence votes in Parliament yesterday, a sign that his government is in no immediate danger of collapse, despite Cabinet approval of a divisive Gaza withdrawal plan a day earlier.
However, Sunday’s historic vote to pull out of Gaza by the end of 2005 left Sharon’s coalition increasingly vulnerable and could lead to new political alliances, or even elections, in the coming months.
“Without doubt, the political ground is shaking today,” said legislator Avraham Burg of the moderate opposition Labour Party.
Also yesterday, the Israelis killed three Palestinians and wounded five others.
Mohammed Nabhan, 17, was shot dead by the Israeli troops near Nafi Dekalem settlement early yesterday morning.
In Sunday’s meeting, the Cabinet approved a Gaza withdrawal in principle, but in a nod to hard-liners imposed a freeze on the actual dismantling of the 21 Gaza settlements for nine months. However, during this period, the government will complete preparations for removing the settlers.
By March 1, the Cabinet will vote on the first of four phases of taking down settlements, to be concluded by the end of 2005.
Forecasting an ongoing political battle, ex-Premier Benjamin Netanyahu, a leader of pullout opponents from Sharon’s Likud party, denied that the Cabinet decision calls in principle for removal of settlements. “It doesn’t obligate us to do anything,” he told Channel Two TV. “It requires us to examine (the subject), and that’s what we’ll do.”
The pro-settler National Religious Party was considering yesterday whether to leave Sharon’s coalition.
The NRP’s departure would deprive Sharon of his parliamentary majority, leaving him with 55 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Currently, the coalition includes 61 lawmakers.
In two no-confidence motions on economic issues yesterday, NRP legislators were absent from the floor, a sign of the party’s indecision.
Party leader Effie Eitam pushed for quitting now, while a leader of the more moderate wing, Zevulun Orlev, proposed staying for at least three months to try to sabotage removal of settlements from a position of influence.
