Contacts are underway between the Likud and Labor for a national unity government - in the event that the National Union and National Religious Party quit the coalition. Prime Minister Sharon would like, at the very least, a commitment from Labor not to topple his government.
Maariv reports today that Shimon Sheves, who headed the Prime Minister's Office under the late Yitzchak Rabin, has been a middleman between leading figures in the two parties. In addition, Sheves' friend Dov Weisglass, who heads Prime Minister Sharon's Office, has spoken with Labor MKs Dalia Itzik and Chaim Ramon. Weisglass reportedly told them, "The disengagement plan is a historic move, and the Labor Party must know where to stand at the critical moment." Labor leader Shimon Peres is among the many Labor MKs who favor supporting and possibly joining with the Likud.
In addition, Prime Minister Sharon is planning to meet today with the head of another opposition party, MK Eli Yeshai of Shas. Both sides deny coalition-forming intentions.
Developments of this sort may pull the carpet out from under the feet of the right-wing parties. The NRP and NU parties have long said that they are remaining in the government in order to ensure that the disengagement plan does not pass. Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman, head of the National Union, held a press conference yesterday at which he said, "I know with certainty that there is a solid majority among the government ministers against the disengagement plan." Ynet quotes "figures in the Prime Minister's circles" as saying that the Prime Minister is of the opinion that he will have a majority - but, they add ominously, "this does not mean necessarily a majority of the current coalition."
Labor's joining the coalition, however, does not guarantee that the disengagement plan will pass. The Likud ministers are scheduled to convene next week, and a majority of them does not support the plan - at least according to some estimates. Among the 14 ministers, Sharon, Mofaz, and Olmert are definite supporters, while HaNegbi, Sharansky, and Landau are definitely against. A spokesperson for a National Union MK told Arutz-7 today that Minister Lieberman is of the opinion that the majority of the Likud ministers oppose the plan. "There is therefore no reason for us to rush and quit the government at this point," she said. "Our goal is to ensure that the plan does not pass. The moment that this becomes impossible, we will quit."
Maariv reports today that Shimon Sheves, who headed the Prime Minister's Office under the late Yitzchak Rabin, has been a middleman between leading figures in the two parties. In addition, Sheves' friend Dov Weisglass, who heads Prime Minister Sharon's Office, has spoken with Labor MKs Dalia Itzik and Chaim Ramon. Weisglass reportedly told them, "The disengagement plan is a historic move, and the Labor Party must know where to stand at the critical moment." Labor leader Shimon Peres is among the many Labor MKs who favor supporting and possibly joining with the Likud.
In addition, Prime Minister Sharon is planning to meet today with the head of another opposition party, MK Eli Yeshai of Shas. Both sides deny coalition-forming intentions.
Developments of this sort may pull the carpet out from under the feet of the right-wing parties. The NRP and NU parties have long said that they are remaining in the government in order to ensure that the disengagement plan does not pass. Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman, head of the National Union, held a press conference yesterday at which he said, "I know with certainty that there is a solid majority among the government ministers against the disengagement plan." Ynet quotes "figures in the Prime Minister's circles" as saying that the Prime Minister is of the opinion that he will have a majority - but, they add ominously, "this does not mean necessarily a majority of the current coalition."
Labor's joining the coalition, however, does not guarantee that the disengagement plan will pass. The Likud ministers are scheduled to convene next week, and a majority of them does not support the plan - at least according to some estimates. Among the 14 ministers, Sharon, Mofaz, and Olmert are definite supporters, while HaNegbi, Sharansky, and Landau are definitely against. A spokesperson for a National Union MK told Arutz-7 today that Minister Lieberman is of the opinion that the majority of the Likud ministers oppose the plan. "There is therefore no reason for us to rush and quit the government at this point," she said. "Our goal is to ensure that the plan does not pass. The moment that this becomes impossible, we will quit."