Likud: Sharon’s government "illegitimate"

1/11/2005 9:40:00 PM GMT

Rebel members of the Likud Party are determined to bring down the new Israeli government in opposition to Ariel Sharon's unilateral plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

Uzi Landau, who is fervently opposed to the withdrawal for ideological reasons, has repeatedly accused Sharon of working "against the will of the people" and betraying the very "spirit and soul of the Likud".

The new Israeli government was only approved of on Monday and by a very small margin leading several rebels to stating that the new "government is legal but illegitimate" as it depends on non-Jews, meaning Arab Knesset lawmakers, for its survival.

The new government comprises of the Likud, Labor and the extremist religious Ashkenazi party the United Torah Judaism. The vote was 58-56 with six abstentions.

One of the rebels was quoted as saying that "this government is legal but illegitimate" because it depends for its survival on non-Jews, an allusion to Arab Knesset lawmakers.

In addition to the pressure brought on by the Likud rebels, Sharon's government will require the approval of the 2005 budget by the Knesset. The approval must be in no later than March 31st otherwise new elections will be called automatically in accordance to the law.

Ira Sharkansky, a Political Science professor at the Hebrew Univeristy, believes this will be one of the biggest tests that Sharon will face.

"I think this is going to be Sharon's litmus test. If he gets a majority of lawmakers in the Knesset to support the budget then, then the implementation of the disengagement plan will be easier," he said.

"I think Sharon is facing a very difficult position. We really don't know how he will overcome these problems. An early election might very well be the only alternative left."

Sharkansky's remarks are very similar to those of other observers of Israeli politics.

There is a growing belief that the present Likud-Labor coalition government will not be able to survive the intense and continuously growing pressure brought on by the extreme right and those who support them - a group which includes members from Sharon's own Likud Party.

During Monday's vote 13 Likud lawmakers voted against the new coalition government forcing Sharon to rely on the support of the center-left Yahad and Arab parties. If their support had not been given, Sharon's government would have for certain collapsed.

Ami Isseroff, an Israeli commentator, believes the split of the Likud party places the Sharon-Peres government in real jeopardy and might very well spell its end.

"Sharon's coalition is hanging together by less than a thread. Even if he succeeds in getting Shas to join the government, he still won't have a majority for peace, because Shas is not very flexible about peace."

Israeli officials have sought to downplay the current predicament facing the government, arguing that not all the 13 Likud rebel lawmakers are against the "disengagement from Gaza."

However, Yossi Verter, a correspondent for the Ha'aretz newspaper opined that the internal Likud rift has crossed the point of no return.

"One thing is very clear: The internal revolt against Sharon has crossed the point of no return. It is no longer opposition to the disengagement; it is a direct challenge to Sharon's leadership."