The issue of whether a Jewish presence will be established in Hebron, and possibly the fate of Premier Menachem Begin’s government, appeared to rest today with the 25 members of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee.
The matter was placed, in their hands when Deputy Premier Yigael Yadin, leader of the Democratic Movement (DM), announced that he would appeal to the Knesset committee against yesterday’s 8-6 decision by the Cabinet to locale two Jewish religious institutions in the heart of that West Bonk Arab town.
The issue has polarized Israelis, cutting across political and ideological lines. Because of the crisis atmosphere it created, the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee announced today that it would defer discussion of the Hebron decision until next week at the earliest. It is believed to have taken into consideration such factors as the shaky position of Begin’s government in general and Israel’s growing isolation in the international diplomatic arena over the settlements issue.
BEGIN COULD INVOKE COALITION DISCIPLINE
The narrow vote in the Cabinet reflected the sharp division within the government between Begin’s Herut Party whose ministers, except Defense Minister Ezer Weizman, supported the Hebron decision and Likud’s Liberal Party wing and the DM which were opposed. Even the National Religious Party wavered. Apparently it took all of Begin’s powers of persuasion to eke out the two vote majority in favor of placing Jews in Hebron and many commentators doubt that his will would prevail in the Knesset committee, despite its Likud majority.
Begin could invoke coalition discipline, in which code the 13 Likud members would be forced to uphold the Cabinet’s decision. Nevertheless, the government has not ruled out the possibility of defeat. This became apparent when Chaim Corfu, chairman of the Likud Knesset faction, said today that the committee’s vote on Hebron would not be considered a vote of confidence and therefore the government would not fall if the Cabinet’s decision was overturned.
THE POSSIBLE LINEUP
Opposition factions account for 10 committee members: eight representing the Labor Alignment and two of the Shai faction, all of whom are expected to vote against the government. The DM has two members on the committee, and while it is part of the coalition it is not bound by coalition discipline. When Yodin first announced his appeal, he acted in accordance with the agreement reached with Begin when he brought his faction — then the much larger Democratic Movement for Change — into the government.
Under that agreement, the DMC could oppose Cabinet decisions on matters, such as Hebron where its ideological positions conflicted with those of Likud. The Secretariate of the DM, meeting in Tel Aviv yesterday, decided to impose party discipline. With its two votes in the Knesset committee, the lineup would be 12 opposed and 13 in favor of the Cabinet’s decision.
But several Liberal Party members of the committee have expressed opposition to the settlement of Jews in Hebron. These are Pessach Grupper, Menachem Savidor and Avraham Katz, who may vote with the opposition. The NRP appears divided. Rabbi Haim Druckman, an ardent supporter of the Gush-Emunim, is certain to vote in favor of the decision, but Yehuda Ben-Meir and Zerach Warhaftig seem uncertain. Warhaftig has said he was unhappy over the timing of the Hebron coves.
If Begin is reluctant, for some reason, to invoke coalition discipline he and his associates can exert severe pressure on wavering members. The decision by the Knesset committee to delay discussion of the issue gives him time to apply such pressure.
GENERAL STRIKE CALLED IN HEBRON
Meanwhile, West Bank town councillors and prominent citizens attended a protest meeting in Hebron today and voted to stage a 24-hour general strike in the town tomorrow.
Addressing the meeting at the Hebron town hall, Hebron Mayor Faud Kowasmeh said the Israeli move should be opposed “even if it brings us into conflict with the authorities. The Israelis do not have enough jails for us all. We should halt all dealings with the Israelis — no business, no work, nothing.” Bethlehem Mayor Elias Freij bid the meeting the Israeli decision “ended any possibility of coexistence between Jews and Arabs.”
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