MK Nissan Slomiansky, one of the four who did not quit but who was long known to be "torn" on the issue of whether the NRP should quit the government, does not agree with Effie Eitam. "It's not true that Labor will no longer enter the government," Slomiansky told Arutz-7 today. "It's true that Ehud Barak is getting ready to return to politics and he's not in favor of joining. But in general, the situation has not changed: Labor wants the disengagement to go through, and knows that its voters will not forgive them if their infighting among themselves causes new elections and destroys the chances of a withdrawal from Gaza. If we quit today, therefore, Labor will immediately join and that will be the end of the story."
To resolve the political dispute between the two politicians, Arutz-7's Hillel Fendel spoke with veteran political commentator Menachem Rahat of Maariv, himself a kippah-wearing Jew, and asked for his opinion. "In truth," Rahat said, "I don't think Labor will enter the government at this time [if the NRP quits]. This is because of the infighting, and the entry of Barak, and because there is no one to lead such a move - because no candidate for the leadership will want to come out in favor of it. The only possibility is if Shimon Peres, who is very much in favor of joining, says that he will lead the party in this move, and then steps down in time for the next elections, such that he will have nothing to lose."
This doesn't mean, however, that Rahat sided with Eitam. "From a purely political point of view," Arutz-7 asked, "how would you advise a party such as the NRP that opposes the disengagement and wants to make sure it doesn't happen: To stay in, or to leave?"
Rahat: "That's a difficult question, of course, but I think I would tell it to remain in. The reason is because in the final analysis, [Prime Minister] Sharon does what he wants. If the NRP leaves, he will find another way to strengthen the government - either with Labor, or with Shas, or United Torah Judaism. Even if Shinui doesn't agree [because of Shinui's anti-religious tendencies - ed.], he'll tell them this is the only way to carry out the disengagement, etc."
A-7: "When Netanyahu was faced with his government crumbling in 1998, and when Barak was faced with the same in 2000, they both tried for a while to keep it afloat, and then just gave in and called new elections. You don't think that Sharon would do the same?"
Rahat: "No, I don't. I think Sharon wants to carry out the disengagement, and will do everything to prevent new elections."
To resolve the political dispute between the two politicians, Arutz-7's Hillel Fendel spoke with veteran political commentator Menachem Rahat of Maariv, himself a kippah-wearing Jew, and asked for his opinion. "In truth," Rahat said, "I don't think Labor will enter the government at this time [if the NRP quits]. This is because of the infighting, and the entry of Barak, and because there is no one to lead such a move - because no candidate for the leadership will want to come out in favor of it. The only possibility is if Shimon Peres, who is very much in favor of joining, says that he will lead the party in this move, and then steps down in time for the next elections, such that he will have nothing to lose."
This doesn't mean, however, that Rahat sided with Eitam. "From a purely political point of view," Arutz-7 asked, "how would you advise a party such as the NRP that opposes the disengagement and wants to make sure it doesn't happen: To stay in, or to leave?"
Rahat: "That's a difficult question, of course, but I think I would tell it to remain in. The reason is because in the final analysis, [Prime Minister] Sharon does what he wants. If the NRP leaves, he will find another way to strengthen the government - either with Labor, or with Shas, or United Torah Judaism. Even if Shinui doesn't agree [because of Shinui's anti-religious tendencies - ed.], he'll tell them this is the only way to carry out the disengagement, etc."
A-7: "When Netanyahu was faced with his government crumbling in 1998, and when Barak was faced with the same in 2000, they both tried for a while to keep it afloat, and then just gave in and called new elections. You don't think that Sharon would do the same?"
Rahat: "No, I don't. I think Sharon wants to carry out the disengagement, and will do everything to prevent new elections."