It appears that the Labor Party's threats to vote against the budget will not have any short-term results - but the long-range is more unclear. The seven MKs of the National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu faction are apparently willing to vote for the budget - they have expressed support for its many cuts in the past - and this will apparently put it over the top. The Likud's 19 MKs, 17 from Shas, Yisrael B'Aliyah (4), Center (5), NRP (5), UTJ (5), plus NUYB will provide a total of 62. The question remains, however, how long will Prime Minister Sharon want to continue with a narrow-based government? His options are to either continue this way until the scheduled elections a year from today, resign and force new elections 90 days later, or to find a compromise with the Laborites that will enable them to vote for the budget and thus remain in the government.
Though it is felt that Labor has already burned most of the ladders down which it could have climbed from its tall tree, some leading Likud figures have offered them one last one. "I call upon Labor to show national responsibility and not resign from the government at this critical juncture," said Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit.
Though it is felt that Labor has already burned most of the ladders down which it could have climbed from its tall tree, some leading Likud figures have offered them one last one. "I call upon Labor to show national responsibility and not resign from the government at this critical juncture," said Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit.