As was expected, Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman announced his party’s departure from the coalition Wednesday morning, saying his party would not tolerate negotiations with the Palestinian Authority on the core issues of the conflict.
“We said clearly that if there would be negotiations on the core issues, we wouldn’t be in [the government],” Lieberman told a press conference in Jerusalem on Wednesday morning.
Lieberman’s announcement reduced Olmert’s coalition from 78 to 67 members, and left all eyes on the 12-seat Shas Party. Shas Chairman Eli Yishai told IsraelNationalNews last week that Shas would follow Lieberman’s lead out of the government, but a party spokesman told Voice of Israel government radio following the announcement that the party would not be dependent on Yisrael Beiteinu to make it’s decisions.
“For us, the only pressure comes from the Jerusalem issue,” he said. “If the Israeli government makes clear that it will make concessions in Jerusalem, then Shas will be out. Until that time, there is no reason for us to leave the government.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, accepted Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s resignation from the Government. The Prime Minister thanked him for his service in the Government and for his considerable contributions to a series of Government security and social measures.
Prime Minister Olmert made it clear that there is no alternative to conducting serious diplomatic negotiations in order to reach peace. This is the order of the day and is dictated by national responsibility. The Government has also set the full assurance of Israel’s security as a clear condition for the implementation of any future agreement. The Prime Minister is determined to continue the diplomatic negotiations out of recognition that they contain the only real chance to assure the peace and security of Israel’s citizens.
(Photo: Haaretz)
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12 Responses
Finally!
I’m just waiting for Shas to pull out too… Not really sure what they are waiting for, since the PM since intent in following through with giving up land and dividing Yerushalayim.
Shas should pull out and force re-elections before its too late.
Mazel tov!! It is about time someone tries to bring down this horrible, selfish, each-man-for-himself-government! I can only hope that shas will follow suit, before it is too late.
So far, the first & only guy on the block that backed up his words with action. I guess he doesn’t have to keep his ‘seat’ niether for kavod nor gelt. All eys on Shas to prove the same.
I wouldn’t look at this as relief yet.
Something smells really fishy here.
Why would olmert thank lieberman for doing a good job etc?? If someone was doing something that may lead to your downfall, would you be gushing with praise?? That’s the last thing I’d do. Therefore, there must be something else going on under the table. I don’t trust Lieberman as much as I don’t trust olmert.
Wait and see.
it woutd be nice if shas would do it for once and not only say if you do this we back out and they do it andthey don’t back out
shas,
it’s time to go. we’ll all remember your actions when the next elctions come along. (bor good or c’v farkert)
It would be gratifying to see Shas base its participation in the government on principles and not hand outs.
Congratulations Lieberman. Its past time someone demonstrated some old fashioned dedication to principle.
Shas, on the other hand, continues to be an embarassment behaving as though it belongs to the world’s oldest profession. Is there anything it won’t due for money ?
Shas is in the hands of Horav Ovadiah Yosef. He knows good and well what to do.
While Lieberman keeps his word to his voter (an out-dated policy), will Shas also do as promised!! Doubtful if the govt will fall, since Ravitz and Litzman are contemplating joining for the ‘fringe’ benefits. Wonder if they realize that Beitar and Kiryat S are on the Abbas chopping board. At least the hawkish Porush is holding true to his word,, “Yerushayalim is non-negocitable”
#4 is right. Lieberman did something to protest Olmert’s position and possibly break the ice for other parties to do the same and crumble Olmert’s government, and Olmert sends away with accolades?
Sounds fishy, really fishy.
To # 4 and #12 – I’m not sure it’s really fishy. I think that Olmert may simply not care because Meretz is more likely to join and Labor more likely to stay (Winograd notwithstanding) if Lieberman is out. The government would be much more manageable for Olmert with Meretz than with Lieberman.