The National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu Knesset party is one major step closer to leaving the government, after its seven Knesset Members met this morning with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Sharon attempted to convince them not to quit the coalition, as he has several times in the past - but this time his efforts did not bear fruit. Sharon reportedly told the MKs that his decisions to talk with PA officials even under fire and to allow Arafat to leave Ramallah stemmed from an American desire for quiet as it seeks to amass Arab support for its upcoming attack on Iraq. The MKs were not convinced. Sharon asked Ministers Elon and Lieberman to wait a few days before quitting, but as of now they plan to submit their resignations tomorrow.
Likud MKs also met with Sharon this morning, in an effort to understand his two aforementioned decisions. Several Likud ministers are critical of the decisions, especially Public Security Minister Uzi Landau, who engaged Sharon in a long argument about the latter\'s leadership. Ministers Livnat and Naveh also expressed strong reservations. Minister Tzippy Livny defended Sharon, saying the decision is merely a \"technical\" matter, as did Justice Minister Shetreet. Many in the Likud are also concerned about the political ramifications, as evidenced by National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu\'s decision to resign.
Environment Minister Tzachi HaNegbi, speaking with Arutz-7 today, said that most of the Likud ministers understood Sharon\'s considerations, except for Uzi Landau. HaNegbi said he was not concerned by Sharon\'s sudden about-face, saying that changing circumstances sometimes require a change in tactics. HaNegbi also said that the goal of American mediator Gen. Zinni, who arrives in the region tomorrow, is to start up the Mitchell and Tenet programs, which require Israel to enforce a construction freeze in Yesha. \"However,\" he said, \"I don\'t see any chance in the world that the Palestinians will actually fulfill their end of the bargain, namely, to totally stop all terrorism and violence, to arrest all the murderers, uproot the terrorist infrastructures, and give their illegal weapons to the Americans...\" HaNegbi said he hopes that the decision by NUYB to quit the government will not lead to a situation, \"as we have seen in the past,\" where the right-wing topples the government and then pays the price in the next election.
MK Uri Ariel (National Union) said in response: \"HaNegbi would agree that nobody should stay in the government at absolutely any price. For us, Sharon\'s decisions are the crossing of absolute red lines, and we simply cannot be a partner to this new policy... It\'s possible that this could be the beginning of a process leading to the toppling of the government - but this is something that the Prime Minister should have kept in mind. For him to suddenly cancel a condition whose critical importance he has emphasized for a whole year is something that we cannot live with.\"
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres lost no time, and met this afternoon with Abu Ala. Also participating in the meeting were GSS head Avi Dichter, Foreign Ministry Dir.-Gen. Avi Gil, Saeb Erekat, and Jibril Rajoub.
Likud MKs also met with Sharon this morning, in an effort to understand his two aforementioned decisions. Several Likud ministers are critical of the decisions, especially Public Security Minister Uzi Landau, who engaged Sharon in a long argument about the latter\'s leadership. Ministers Livnat and Naveh also expressed strong reservations. Minister Tzippy Livny defended Sharon, saying the decision is merely a \"technical\" matter, as did Justice Minister Shetreet. Many in the Likud are also concerned about the political ramifications, as evidenced by National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu\'s decision to resign.
Environment Minister Tzachi HaNegbi, speaking with Arutz-7 today, said that most of the Likud ministers understood Sharon\'s considerations, except for Uzi Landau. HaNegbi said he was not concerned by Sharon\'s sudden about-face, saying that changing circumstances sometimes require a change in tactics. HaNegbi also said that the goal of American mediator Gen. Zinni, who arrives in the region tomorrow, is to start up the Mitchell and Tenet programs, which require Israel to enforce a construction freeze in Yesha. \"However,\" he said, \"I don\'t see any chance in the world that the Palestinians will actually fulfill their end of the bargain, namely, to totally stop all terrorism and violence, to arrest all the murderers, uproot the terrorist infrastructures, and give their illegal weapons to the Americans...\" HaNegbi said he hopes that the decision by NUYB to quit the government will not lead to a situation, \"as we have seen in the past,\" where the right-wing topples the government and then pays the price in the next election.
MK Uri Ariel (National Union) said in response: \"HaNegbi would agree that nobody should stay in the government at absolutely any price. For us, Sharon\'s decisions are the crossing of absolute red lines, and we simply cannot be a partner to this new policy... It\'s possible that this could be the beginning of a process leading to the toppling of the government - but this is something that the Prime Minister should have kept in mind. For him to suddenly cancel a condition whose critical importance he has emphasized for a whole year is something that we cannot live with.\"
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres lost no time, and met this afternoon with Abu Ala. Also participating in the meeting were GSS head Avi Dichter, Foreign Ministry Dir.-Gen. Avi Gil, Saeb Erekat, and Jibril Rajoub.