The Cabinet meeting last night had internal political implications, as well. The Labor Party ministers refused to vote, after their proposal to delay the decision by a week was rejected. They also claimed that the decision was against the coalition guidelines. They clarified afterwards, however, that they are not resigning from the unity government - at least not now. The final tally in the Cabinet vote was 18-1, with Minister Dan Meridor (formerly of the Likud, now of the Center Party) voting against and Minister Meir Shetreet (Likud) abstaining.
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres will convene his party\'s ministers and MKs tomorrow for a possible attempt to lead his party out of the government. Many of the party MKs are in favor of such a move, but ministers such as Sneh, Cohen, Itzik and others are against. Political analyst Yaron Dekel said he does not expect the party to quit the government in the very near future.
Health Minister Nissim Dahan (Shas) was embarrassed by the Labor ministers\' behavior. \"We were witness to a shameful scene last night,\" he said, \"when a significant part of the government, including some who were among those who established the State, found it difficult to say that Arafat is leading a terrorist entity.\" Dahan said that the government decision should have been made several months ago, following the Dolphinarium or Sbarro massacres.
Though the dissenting Labor ministers are unhappy with the decision to dub the PA \"terrorist-supporting,\" they have no problems with the military operations decided upon. Peres told CNN last night, \"The attacks were a warning, our way of telling Arafat that he must take matters under control and struggle with the real problems. He doesn\'t have to decide if he is our partner or our enemy, but rather if he is a leader or not.\" Former Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami also said that he is in favor of strong attacks against Hamas, Tanzim, and the like, but is against actions that may lead to full-scale war.
\"I hope that the national-unity government will not break apart,\" President Katzav said, \"because at this time there should be no quarrels between us…\"
Meretz leader Yossi Sarid and former Labor Minister Yossi Beilin called on Labor to quit the government; Sarid said that the only alternative left for Prime Minister Sharon is to meet personally with Arafat.
Minister Eli Yeshai (Shas) called on Labor ministers to remain in the coalition, for “nothing would please Arafat more than the dissolution of the unity government.”
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres will convene his party\'s ministers and MKs tomorrow for a possible attempt to lead his party out of the government. Many of the party MKs are in favor of such a move, but ministers such as Sneh, Cohen, Itzik and others are against. Political analyst Yaron Dekel said he does not expect the party to quit the government in the very near future.
Health Minister Nissim Dahan (Shas) was embarrassed by the Labor ministers\' behavior. \"We were witness to a shameful scene last night,\" he said, \"when a significant part of the government, including some who were among those who established the State, found it difficult to say that Arafat is leading a terrorist entity.\" Dahan said that the government decision should have been made several months ago, following the Dolphinarium or Sbarro massacres.
Though the dissenting Labor ministers are unhappy with the decision to dub the PA \"terrorist-supporting,\" they have no problems with the military operations decided upon. Peres told CNN last night, \"The attacks were a warning, our way of telling Arafat that he must take matters under control and struggle with the real problems. He doesn\'t have to decide if he is our partner or our enemy, but rather if he is a leader or not.\" Former Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami also said that he is in favor of strong attacks against Hamas, Tanzim, and the like, but is against actions that may lead to full-scale war.
\"I hope that the national-unity government will not break apart,\" President Katzav said, \"because at this time there should be no quarrels between us…\"
Meretz leader Yossi Sarid and former Labor Minister Yossi Beilin called on Labor to quit the government; Sarid said that the only alternative left for Prime Minister Sharon is to meet personally with Arafat.
Minister Eli Yeshai (Shas) called on Labor ministers to remain in the coalition, for “nothing would please Arafat more than the dissolution of the unity government.”