The economic emergency plan put forward by Minister of Finance Silvan Shalom was defeated on first reading in the Knesset last night by 47 votes to 46. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon immediately dismissed the five ministers from the Shas party and the four deputy ministers from Shas and United Torah Judaism who had voted against the government. Minister of Education Limor Livnat (Likud), who was absent from the vote, received a warning letter.
The bill to limit private legislation was also defeated, by 47 votes to 35.
The economic plan will be brought unchanged before the Knesset again today for a repeat vote.
The crisis has given rise to intense speculation about the possibility of early elections. Minister of Communications Reuven Rivlin, speaking on Ariel Sharon's behalf, said that the prime minister would attempt to maintain his government with any possible coalition for as long as he could, but added his personal view that the government was unlikely to last long.
The opposition of the religious MKs from Shas and United Torah Judaism to the economic plan was expected, because of their objection to the proposed cuts in child allowances, and the plan had been expected to pass by a narow majority. What defeated it was the absence from the vote of seven other coalition MKs, three from the Likud party and four from Labor. Likud and Labor party officials are taking steps to ensure a full turnout at today's second vote, including recalling MKs who are on visits overseas.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.il on May 21, 2002