Premier Menachem Begin’s new coalition government won its first vote of confidence last night after a 13-hour debate in the Knesset which was punctuated by numerous catcalls on the part of the Labor Alignment and other opposition MKs. The 61-58 vote of confidence underscored the fragile nature of Begin’s parliamentary majority.
The debate, which followed Begin’s presentation of his new Cabinet and his overall view of developing events, was extremely acrimonious at times. Labor Alignment leader Shimon Peres denounced the new government for surrendering to the demands of the ultra-Orthodox Aguda Israel. Begin in turn excoriated Peres and at one point departed from using Hebrew to say about Peres, “The gentleman is a liar, the gentleman is a liar.” Several Labor members left the hall to protest at Begin’s blistering attack on Peres but returned in time for the vote.
In the course of his reply to Peres, Begin announced that David Levy would, after all, be a member of his Cabinet. Levy withdrew his refusal to serve in the Cabinet. He reconsidered after a day of heavy pressure from Begin and coalition members, was named Deputy Prime Minister in charge of construction, chairman of the Ministerial Committee on Social Affairs and Minister in charge of slum rehabilitation.
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