Sharon Defeated on Budget, Can’t Call Election

Whatever hopes the realists may have had for a breakthrough in the Mid-East following the post-mature death of Yasser Arafat were destroyed this week as Ariel Sharon’s coalition government couldn’t get its budget passed. In parliamentary systems, this usually means new elections. But Israel is in a rather odd position. There is a majority in favor of Mr. Sharon’s withdrawal plan, and there is a majority in favor of more domestic spending. But the majorities are not made up of the same people.

Normally, a first reading of the budget is almost a formality. However, the junior coalition party, Shinui, is a party for secular rights. Mr. Sharon’s budget was heavily larded with pork (those who keep kosher must forgive the choice of words) for the orthodox Jewish parties’ constituents – around $290 million. So, Shinui voted against the government, which was defeated 69 to 43 out of the 120 seat total.

Mr. Sharon, having been defeated by his own party’s rank-and-file in a ballot over his plans for a Gaza pullout, can’t face the electorate without having his party openly split. So, he has tried to get the Labour Party to come into his government, on paper putting together 62 votes. This would work as far as the Gaza plan goes because Labour is largely supportive of the concept. This supposes that he can keep his Likudniks in line next to Labour.

Unfortunately, Labour is not very happy with . . . the budget. A budget must be passed by March 31 or new elections must be held under Israeli law. But Labour wants less austerity in the budget and more hand outs than Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has offered. The use of the word “paralyzed” is not inappropriate in describing Israel’s political predicament.

Since there really is no Israeli government with which to negotiate, this is an ideal time for the Palestinians to engage in futile in-fighting. Fitting that bill is Marwan Barghouti, jailed for life by Israel and leader of the intifada, who joins 9 others in campaigning for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority. His participation will mean a dose of militancy that will keep any winner from making a settlement with Mr. Sharon or his successor.


© Copyright 2004 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.


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