The government survived six no-confidence motions yesterday - but just barely. It squeaked by with a two-vote majority in two of the votes, and in one of them even "suffered" a tie vote, 56-56. Although the government continues to survive - it cannot be toppled unless 61 MKs vote against it in a no-confidence motion - the close votes of yesterday make it clear that the government is in danger. Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin said last night that the current situation is unhealthy and will prevent the Knesset from conducting day-to-day matters, including the passing of the national budget. "Every MK will now be able to write his own budget," commented Rivlin, explaining that every vote will come with its own price. "Either the coalition succeeds in stabilizing itself," Rivlin said, "or else we'll soon be heading to the polls once again."
The National Religious Party, as has been customary over the past several weeks, split its votes last night. Eitam and Levy resigned last month from their ministerial and deputy-ministerial positions in the government, respectively, after it approved the disengagement plan in principle. In last night's votes, party leader Effie Eitam voted against the government twice, MK Yitzchak Levy voted with the opposition in one of the no-confidence motions, and the others voted in favor. All was done in accordance with an agreement reached in the party yesterday - except for one of Eitam's votes.
Levy and Eitam were "permitted" to vote against the government in motions that deal directly with the disengagement/expulsion plan or have the potential to topple the government, and may abstain in all other votes. The motion introduced by the National Union party dealt with Israel's decreasing security, which, as Eitam explained, is "directly related to Sharon's disengagement plan," and the two thus voted against the government on this motion.
Eitam, however, went one step further when he voted against the government in the motion introduced by the Am Echad (One Nation) faction on social issues. This was the vote that in fact ended in a 56-56 tie, even after the Likud forced MK Yechiel Chazan, who suffered a heart attack a week ago, and Minister Tzachi HaNegbi, who yesterday celebrated his baby son's brit milah [ritual circumcision], to come and take part in the vote. Eitam explained that he voted in opposition to party policy because he wanted "every citizen in the State of Israel to know that the government does not have a majority to bring catastrophe upon the residents of Sderot and the Negev, nor to destroy the life-work of thousands of residents [in Gush Katif and northern Shomron], and to mercilessly abuse the workers of the religious councils."
The National Religious Party, as has been customary over the past several weeks, split its votes last night. Eitam and Levy resigned last month from their ministerial and deputy-ministerial positions in the government, respectively, after it approved the disengagement plan in principle. In last night's votes, party leader Effie Eitam voted against the government twice, MK Yitzchak Levy voted with the opposition in one of the no-confidence motions, and the others voted in favor. All was done in accordance with an agreement reached in the party yesterday - except for one of Eitam's votes.
Levy and Eitam were "permitted" to vote against the government in motions that deal directly with the disengagement/expulsion plan or have the potential to topple the government, and may abstain in all other votes. The motion introduced by the National Union party dealt with Israel's decreasing security, which, as Eitam explained, is "directly related to Sharon's disengagement plan," and the two thus voted against the government on this motion.
Eitam, however, went one step further when he voted against the government in the motion introduced by the Am Echad (One Nation) faction on social issues. This was the vote that in fact ended in a 56-56 tie, even after the Likud forced MK Yechiel Chazan, who suffered a heart attack a week ago, and Minister Tzachi HaNegbi, who yesterday celebrated his baby son's brit milah [ritual circumcision], to come and take part in the vote. Eitam explained that he voted in opposition to party policy because he wanted "every citizen in the State of Israel to know that the government does not have a majority to bring catastrophe upon the residents of Sderot and the Negev, nor to destroy the life-work of thousands of residents [in Gush Katif and northern Shomron], and to mercilessly abuse the workers of the religious councils."