The Knesset will vote on two motions of no-confidence in the government this afternoon. One of them was filed by the Shas Party, regarding the plight of the underprivileged classes, and the second was submitted by Meretz-Yachad and the Arab parties in objection to the fence around the Shomron city of Ariel. Neither of the motions will pass, as the Labor Party will not vote in favor - despite Labor voices calling for an end to the party's policy of providing the government with a "security net."
A national unity government now appears more distant than ever. Labor Party leader Shimon Peres laid down some conditions that will not be easy for Ariel Sharon to fulfill. He told the New York Times on Friday that he would not join the Likud-led government unless 1) the withdrawal from Gaza is coordinated with the Palestinian Authority - thus removing its "unilateral" nature; 2) a clear timetable for the withdrawal is set; and 3) the government begins negotiations regarding the final status of Judea and Samaria.
Within the Likud, most MKs are against Labor's inclusion, and their ranks were bolstered by the announcement by Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that he, too, is against it. Netanyahu said he is against Labor's economic positions, but some commentators raised the suspicion that his motives are also rooted in Labor's intention to ask for the Finance Ministry if it joins the coalition.
A national unity government now appears more distant than ever. Labor Party leader Shimon Peres laid down some conditions that will not be easy for Ariel Sharon to fulfill. He told the New York Times on Friday that he would not join the Likud-led government unless 1) the withdrawal from Gaza is coordinated with the Palestinian Authority - thus removing its "unilateral" nature; 2) a clear timetable for the withdrawal is set; and 3) the government begins negotiations regarding the final status of Judea and Samaria.
Within the Likud, most MKs are against Labor's inclusion, and their ranks were bolstered by the announcement by Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that he, too, is against it. Netanyahu said he is against Labor's economic positions, but some commentators raised the suspicion that his motives are also rooted in Labor's intention to ask for the Finance Ministry if it joins the coalition.