The NRP and the National Union parties are presenting a united front. One of the scenarios foreseen over the next few days is that Prime Minister Sharon might fire the two National Union ministers, or that they would resign on their own if the withdrawal passes, while the NRP (National Religious Party), or most of it, would remain in the government. NRP head Effie Eitam said today, "We will not be members in a government that fires ministers in order to uproot communities." Eitam made the remarks when he left this morning's Cabinet session to visit the protestors outside the Prime Minister's Office.
The possibility that Sharon will, in fact, fire the two National Union ministers - Avigdor Lieberman and Benny Elon - is looking more realistic this morning. Sharon hinted that he is likely to make "political changes," and sharply censured Lieberman at this morning's meeting. The Prime Minister said that he condemns Lieberman's proposal to transfer Israeli-Arabs out of Israel "in exchange" for the removal of some Jewish towns in Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza). Sharon said this was not his government's policy.
Lieberman found his opportunity to respond when Sharon reminded the Cabinet that it was he (Sharon) who had brought the Likud from 19 seats to 38 in the last elections in January 2003. Lieberman said that it was the entire nationalist camp that had elected Sharon, "not the Islamic Movement or the murderers of the soldier Oleg Shaichat."
MK Nissan Slomiansky of the NRP called on his party ministers - Eitam and Zevulun Orlev - to resign if Sharon fires their National Union colleagues.
The possibility that Sharon will, in fact, fire the two National Union ministers - Avigdor Lieberman and Benny Elon - is looking more realistic this morning. Sharon hinted that he is likely to make "political changes," and sharply censured Lieberman at this morning's meeting. The Prime Minister said that he condemns Lieberman's proposal to transfer Israeli-Arabs out of Israel "in exchange" for the removal of some Jewish towns in Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza). Sharon said this was not his government's policy.
Lieberman found his opportunity to respond when Sharon reminded the Cabinet that it was he (Sharon) who had brought the Likud from 19 seats to 38 in the last elections in January 2003. Lieberman said that it was the entire nationalist camp that had elected Sharon, "not the Islamic Movement or the murderers of the soldier Oleg Shaichat."
MK Nissan Slomiansky of the NRP called on his party ministers - Eitam and Zevulun Orlev - to resign if Sharon fires their National Union colleagues.