Olmert threatens to sack Labor ministers over dissolution bill

PM enraged by Labor's intent to back Knesset dissolution motion, says if Labor ministers vote in favor of bill they will be fired immediately; adds such parliamentary behavior is unacceptable

Attila Somfalvi|Published: 06.22.08 , 12:39

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert informed Labor ministers on Sunday that should they vote in favor of the motion to disperse the Knesset, which is up for a preliminary vote on Wednesday, they will be fired. The dismissal will take effect 48 hours later.

The Labor ministers left the government meeting in order to confer with Labor Chairman Ehud Barak. One of the ministers who witnessed the scene told Ynet that "The Labor ministers were seriously spooked and immediately left to ask Barak what they should do. The prime minister has proven to them that they won't be able to keep their jobs while undermining the government."

Sources familiar with the situation noted that at this point, Olmert does not intend to call on any other party to take Labor's place in the collation, should its ministers be fired.

A source close to Olmert added that it was inconceivable that ministers within the coalition will try to topple the government. Olmert was quoted earlier Sunday as saying such parliamentary behavior was "unacceptable in any Western democracy and it is unacceptable here."

"The principle is more important than any other political consideration. The orderly life of the State and its government cannot be subject to political games," a Kadima source told Ynet. "Barak has to decide whether or not Labor is a part of the coalition."

Barak told his ministers that they must hold their ground and vote for the dissolution of the Knesset in view of the multiple police investigations held against Olmert.

Labor announced last week that it intends to back the future motion of dissolution, although given the choice it would "opt for governmental stability rather than new general elections".

A source close to Barak said in response "if Olmert fires Labor from the coalition over what he calls parliamentary norms and incorruptibility the problem will be his and his alone."