Note: The translations of articles from the Hebrew press
are prepared by the Government Press Office
as a service to foreign journalists in Israel.
They express the views of the authors.
A Political Paradise
(Commentary by Shalom Yerushalmi, "Ma'ariv", May 18, 1999, p. A13)
Benjamin Netanyahu's dramatic resignation from the Likud leadership
narrows, for the moment, the possibility of Ehud Barak's forming a unity
government. From now on, the Likud is an historic party in the process of
being disbanded with only 19 seats, waiting for a receiver to lift it from
the ruins. When the party chooses a temporary leader for itself --
probably Ariel Sharon, or a permanent chairman, Olmert or Meir Sheetrit --
Ehud Barak will enter into negotiations with him. But everything in time.
In the meantime, the great victor, Barak, can realize his dream of a broad
government. According to the results of the exit polls, Barak controls 70
seats on the center and left, which will ensure him a more than stable
coalition. His maneuvering room is almost limitless. He might even be
able, under certain conditions, to bring in the NRP, with the help of
their dovish MKs, Zevulun Orlev and Nahum Lagenthal (and Barak wants the
NRP inside most of all to advance the peace process).
Even Shas, which yesterday seemed to have gained an astonishing 14-15
seats, because of the momentum created by the Deri trial, may well yet
join the coalition. And this will be after Aryeh Deri has begun to serve
his jail sentence. Even United Torah Judaism are candidates for joining
up.
On the eve of the elections, Barak planned to change the Basic Law: The
Government and expand the government to include 24 ministers. In the
current situation, he will be able, as has been said, to do anything --
there is room for everyone. The current assumption is that David Levy will
be his foreign minister, Ben-Ami or Yossi Beilin his finance minister, and
even Shimon Peres might be infrastructure minister and deal with issues of
regional development. For the job of justice minister the candidates are
Yosef Lapid or Dan Meridor. For the post of defense minister, the
assumption is that he will appoint Yitzhak Mordechai or Matan Vilna'i -- a
real political Garden of Eden.
A final word about President Ezer Weizman and Yitzhak Mordechai. It is now
clear that Weizman started the process of getting rid of Netanyahu shortly
after his term in office began. He unceasingly challenged his public
standing, and defeated him in the first political battle. In the last days
Weizman and his aides have been up to their necks in political goings-on,
and they will help Barak in his effort to build his coalition. Another
unprecedented occurrence.
Apparently, Yitzhak Mordechai left the race too late, and it now seems
clear that Barak would have beaten Netanyahu even with him in the race.