A coalition of opponents of Premier Menachem Begin’s peace plan that crosses party lines is mounting an all-out attempt to force Begin to change his positions which they view as “surrender.” The two most outspoken rejectionists, Likud MK Geula Cohen and Labor MK Moshe Shamir, held a press conference here today to explain their opposition and announce their plans.
They were joined by like-minded “hawks” of Likud, the Labor Alignment, the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC) and the National Religious Party (NRP). The latter factions, both partners in Begin’s coalition government, were represented by Meir Zorea and Rabbi Haim Druckman.
Shamir, who eructed a tent outside the Prime Minister’s Office as a makeshift protest headquarters, said the group would demonstrate for the rest of the week. He announced a mass rally for tomorrow to denounce the peace plan and warn the country of the dangers it holds for Israel. Shamir lashed out at the joint Israeli-Egyptian military committee convening in Cairo today. He said it should be called the “Sinai surrender committee” because the main topic will be “the total withdrawal of Israel from the Sinai.”
DEMANDS BEGIN BE STOPPED
Cohen urged Begin to “stop now” before it is too late. Asked if she would leave Likud to form an opposition party, she said she intended to voice her opposition within the party “as long as I am allowed to open my mouth.” Zored, whose views clash with those of many of his DMC colleagues, charged that Begin has already given up too much in Sinai.
Another protest rally was held this afternoon at Kfar Etzion on the West Bank between Jerusalem and Hebron. Minister of Agriculture Ariel Sharon who was listed as the main speaker failed to show up. He sent a message at the last minute saying that as a Cabinet member he was forced to abstain from taking part in the protest.
Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren and a delegation from the Chief Rabbinate met with Begin today. Although Goren has not come out publicly in opposition to the peace plan, be reportedly told the Premier that it “worried” him. A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office later denied that the rabbis had criticized the plan. Goren said that after meeting Begin he felt “calmer.”
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