Lieberman headed into government
Israel Our Home faction meets in Jerusalem, decides to authorize party chairman to launch negotiations to enter coalition; decision paves Lieberman's way to government. Labor officials: We won't quit even if Lieberman joins
During the meeting, the faction members decided to launch negotiations on joining the government. Members of the party's political committee also took part in the meeting.
After a discussion, the faction decided to authorize Lieberman to launch official and quick negotiations on the party joining the government. Official talks between Lieberman and Olmert will be launched in the coming days in order to decide on the details of the coalition agreement.
Israel Our Home faction meeting (Photo: Haim Zach)
After the decision was made, Lieberman spoke to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the two agreed to talk again and set a meeting.
Lieberman later told Ynet: "I am satisfied with the outcomes of the discussion we held. I estimate that I will meet with Olmert tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."
According to Lieberman's estimations, Israel Our Home will enter the government by next Monday, at the latest.
"We are coming without any conditions. We will do everything for the establishment of a commission of inquiry. I am not coming to fight with Amir Peretz. At the moment the Iranian issue is the most interesting – all the rest is not interesting. I am optimistic regarding the future of the move," he said.
The government adopted on Sunday a draft bill on changing the government system in Israel submitted by Lieberman. Twelve ministers voted in favor of the bill, 11 voted against and one abstained.
The minister committee for legislation, headed by Acting Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit, later approved unanimously the Kadima faction's bill to change the government system.
Labor: Central Committee to decide
In the meantime, senior sources at the Labor Party estimated that the party would eventually not quit the government.
Aides of Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz also said in recent days that he was not interested in harming the relations with Kadima and the prime minister and that he was not in fact interested in Labor leaving the coalition.
Some of the defense minister's rivals in his party also said that they would not object bringing Israel Our Home into the government, on the condition that this is done based on the government's Basic Principles.
Although Minister Eitan Cabel said that he would recommend Labor leave the coalition in the event of Israel Our Home's addition, Knesset members such as Matan Vilnai, Ami Ayalon and others said in recent days that they would not work against the party staying in the government.
However, the decision will ultimately be made neither by Peretz nor by the MKs. The Labor Party will have to work according to a decision made by its Central Committee, which will convene after the agreement with Israel Our Home is put on the table.
According to estimates, in light of the senior party members' stance, as well as the position of ministers in favor of the party remaining in the government, the Central Committee will rule that the party should stay in the coalition.
"There is no need for hysteria," one of the minister in favor of remaining in the government said. "Amir is now being cautious in order not to climb on a high tree which he will not be able to get off."
