Binyamin Netanyahu, who was elected to head the Likud party in a primary election last last week, wants to replace the leader of the Labor party, MK Amir Peretz, as head of the opposition.
Netanyahu’s plans have been frustrated, however, by Likud ministers Limor Livnat (Minister of Education) and Silvan Shalom (Minister of Foreign Affairs), who refuse to resign their seats in the Sharon government.
Under Israeli law, "head of the opposition" is a title bestowed on the leader of the opposition party which has the most seats in the Knesset. Since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon bolted the Likud party to form Kadima, the Likud was paired down to 26 MK’s. That number is still five MK’s more than the Labor party’s roster.
The Likud, however, is still not considered an opposition party because it has four ministers serving in the government coalition. The other two ministers are Yisrael Katz (Agriculture) and Danny Naveh (Health).
Israeli law grants the head of the opposition a number of privileges, including the right to respond to the prime minister’s speeches in the Knesset and to personally receive monthly updates from the prime minister.
Netanyahu reportedly wants the job of opposition leader in order position himself as an alternative to Sharon prior to the elections.
The current opposition leader, Peretz, succeeded Yosef (Tomy) Lapid, head of the Shinui party. Peretz became head of the opposition when, after winning the Labor party primary, he pulled all Labor party ministers out of the Sharon government.
Netanyahu’s plans have been frustrated, however, by Likud ministers Limor Livnat (Minister of Education) and Silvan Shalom (Minister of Foreign Affairs), who refuse to resign their seats in the Sharon government.
Under Israeli law, "head of the opposition" is a title bestowed on the leader of the opposition party which has the most seats in the Knesset. Since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon bolted the Likud party to form Kadima, the Likud was paired down to 26 MK’s. That number is still five MK’s more than the Labor party’s roster.
The Likud, however, is still not considered an opposition party because it has four ministers serving in the government coalition. The other two ministers are Yisrael Katz (Agriculture) and Danny Naveh (Health).
Israeli law grants the head of the opposition a number of privileges, including the right to respond to the prime minister’s speeches in the Knesset and to personally receive monthly updates from the prime minister.
Netanyahu reportedly wants the job of opposition leader in order position himself as an alternative to Sharon prior to the elections.
The current opposition leader, Peretz, succeeded Yosef (Tomy) Lapid, head of the Shinui party. Peretz became head of the opposition when, after winning the Labor party primary, he pulled all Labor party ministers out of the Sharon government.