With passage of the budget bill virtually a done deal, now that Shinui has decided to vote in favor - after receiving an allocation of NIS 700 million for projects amenable to its constituency - the only chance left to topple the government and forestall the Gaza expulsion plan may be in the hands of Rav Ovadiah Yosef, spiritual leader of the Shas party.
A step in that direction might have been taken when Shas Party leader MK Eli Yishai announced yesterday that he would recommend to Rav Yosef that he support legislation to require holding a national referendum before the Gaza-Samaria expulsion plan can be carried out.
So far, Rabbi Yosef has opposed a referendum on the Gaza expulsion plan, fearing it might serve as a precedent for referenda on religious issues.
But the Rabbi’s position might be subject to change. Rabbi Yosef recently said he would reconsider his opposition in light of the halakhic position taken by Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, spiritual leader of the United Torah Judaism Party and a leading rabbinic authority in Israel. Rabbi Elyashiv recently told MKs representing his party that they should vote in favor of the referendum legislation.
Yishai told Israel Radio that the time might be right for Rabbi Yosef to reconsider his position. “The rabbi's opinion on the issue of referendum is well-known and very clear," Yishai said. "He opposes a referendum. Having said that, in view of the political situation and the possibilities that exist in the Knesset today, it may be possible to change the decision.
While Shas’ eleven MKs are insufficient to carry the bill in the Knesset, they might encourage a number of Likud MKs who have been advocating a referendum to vote in favor of the bill. Among the Likud referendum supporters are even some who support the disengagement, but feel that popular consensus is required in order to keep the nation united.
Among Likud MKs who might be persuaded to vote for a plebiscite are senior government ministers Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Education Minister Limor Livnat, and Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. These ministers are not part of the 13-MK Likud group headed by Uzi Landau, known as the Likud "loyalists," who have already said they will vote in favor of a referendum. Landau’s bloc was formed to thwart implementation of the expulsion plan.
Binyamin Netanyahu met personally with Rabbi Yosef last week in an effort to convince him to vote in favor of the bill. Some political commentators believe that if Shas now votes in favor, it would be disingenuous for the Finance Minister not to follow suit. If Netanyahu announces his 'yea' vote for a referendum, it is possible that other Likud MKs will follow his lead, making the bill’s passage a realistic possibility.
Prime Minister Sharon, having braved the budget crisis, now sees this last referendum hurdle as a real threat to his government. Labor MKs have threatened to bolt the coalition and force new elections if Likud ministers vote in favor of the legislation.
Sharon indirectly attacked Netanyahu at today’s cabinet meeting. Referring indirectly to Netanyahu’s meeting with the elderly rabbi, Sharon said, “Last week we saw an attempt [to topple the government]. It pains me that because of internal interests, political relations are being vandalized. Don’t be concerned about what’s happening outside the country, worry about what’s happening here. It seems that all restraints have been removed.” Sharon added: “We’re seeing again and again attempts to topple the government that keep returning with timing that is not coincidental.”
Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres attacked Netanyahu more directly: “If the referendum passes tomorrow, we’re notifying you now that we will resign immediately from the government.”
Labor Minister Chaim Ramon also bashed Netanyahu at the cabinet meeting, saying, “If even one Likud minister votes in favor of the referendum, Labor will leave the government immediately.”
The referendum bill will be voted on in the Knesset on Monday.
A step in that direction might have been taken when Shas Party leader MK Eli Yishai announced yesterday that he would recommend to Rav Yosef that he support legislation to require holding a national referendum before the Gaza-Samaria expulsion plan can be carried out.
So far, Rabbi Yosef has opposed a referendum on the Gaza expulsion plan, fearing it might serve as a precedent for referenda on religious issues.
But the Rabbi’s position might be subject to change. Rabbi Yosef recently said he would reconsider his opposition in light of the halakhic position taken by Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, spiritual leader of the United Torah Judaism Party and a leading rabbinic authority in Israel. Rabbi Elyashiv recently told MKs representing his party that they should vote in favor of the referendum legislation.
Yishai told Israel Radio that the time might be right for Rabbi Yosef to reconsider his position. “The rabbi's opinion on the issue of referendum is well-known and very clear," Yishai said. "He opposes a referendum. Having said that, in view of the political situation and the possibilities that exist in the Knesset today, it may be possible to change the decision.
While Shas’ eleven MKs are insufficient to carry the bill in the Knesset, they might encourage a number of Likud MKs who have been advocating a referendum to vote in favor of the bill. Among the Likud referendum supporters are even some who support the disengagement, but feel that popular consensus is required in order to keep the nation united.
Among Likud MKs who might be persuaded to vote for a plebiscite are senior government ministers Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Education Minister Limor Livnat, and Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. These ministers are not part of the 13-MK Likud group headed by Uzi Landau, known as the Likud "loyalists," who have already said they will vote in favor of a referendum. Landau’s bloc was formed to thwart implementation of the expulsion plan.
Binyamin Netanyahu met personally with Rabbi Yosef last week in an effort to convince him to vote in favor of the bill. Some political commentators believe that if Shas now votes in favor, it would be disingenuous for the Finance Minister not to follow suit. If Netanyahu announces his 'yea' vote for a referendum, it is possible that other Likud MKs will follow his lead, making the bill’s passage a realistic possibility.
Prime Minister Sharon, having braved the budget crisis, now sees this last referendum hurdle as a real threat to his government. Labor MKs have threatened to bolt the coalition and force new elections if Likud ministers vote in favor of the legislation.
Sharon indirectly attacked Netanyahu at today’s cabinet meeting. Referring indirectly to Netanyahu’s meeting with the elderly rabbi, Sharon said, “Last week we saw an attempt [to topple the government]. It pains me that because of internal interests, political relations are being vandalized. Don’t be concerned about what’s happening outside the country, worry about what’s happening here. It seems that all restraints have been removed.” Sharon added: “We’re seeing again and again attempts to topple the government that keep returning with timing that is not coincidental.”
Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres attacked Netanyahu more directly: “If the referendum passes tomorrow, we’re notifying you now that we will resign immediately from the government.”
Labor Minister Chaim Ramon also bashed Netanyahu at the cabinet meeting, saying, “If even one Likud minister votes in favor of the referendum, Labor will leave the government immediately.”
The referendum bill will be voted on in the Knesset on Monday.