The Knesset rejected several no-confidence motions yesterday, for the third time in two weeks. The MKs of the National Religious Party abstained - in protest of Prime Minister Sharon's plan to withdraw from Gaza. The two NRP Cabinet ministers voted in favor of the government. In the National Union, half of the six MKs present voted in favor, while MKs Tzvi Hendel, Uri Ariel and Aryeh Eldad absented themselves.
MK Ariel told Arutz-7 today that he was in favor of voting against the government yesterday, but his position was not accepted. He then explained his party's position: "The Cabinet is divided roughly evenly between those who support Sharon's plan and those who oppose it. If we leave, the issue will be decided in favor of the plan, and I don't think anyone from the nationalist camp wants that. It must be made clear that we can't quit the government more than once; once we're out, we're out."
Prime Minister Sharon is scheduled to meet this afternoon with Finance Minister - and Prime Ministerial-hopeful - Binyamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has not yet made public his position on the disengagement plan. His stance will play an important role as the struggle over the issue plays itself out in the coming weeks. Some 15 Likud MKs have said publicly that they will oppose the plan.
MK Ariel told Arutz-7 today that he was in favor of voting against the government yesterday, but his position was not accepted. He then explained his party's position: "The Cabinet is divided roughly evenly between those who support Sharon's plan and those who oppose it. If we leave, the issue will be decided in favor of the plan, and I don't think anyone from the nationalist camp wants that. It must be made clear that we can't quit the government more than once; once we're out, we're out."
Prime Minister Sharon is scheduled to meet this afternoon with Finance Minister - and Prime Ministerial-hopeful - Binyamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has not yet made public his position on the disengagement plan. His stance will play an important role as the struggle over the issue plays itself out in the coming weeks. Some 15 Likud MKs have said publicly that they will oppose the plan.