Dmc on the Verge of a Split

The Democratic Movement for Change (DMC) appeared today to be on the verge of a split that would create a new faction with serious political ramifications for the party and Premier Menachem Begin’s coalition government. A number of DMC leaders, including five Knesset members, have reportedly agreed to bolt the party because of dissatisfaction with the leadership of Prof. Yigael Yadin and disagreement with the DMC’s activities in the political and social spheres.

Most of the dissidents represent the DMC’s doveish Lashinooy (Change) faction. They include MKs Amnon Rubinstien, Mordechai Virslunsky. Steff Wertheimer and Shmuel Toledano.They are expected to be joined by Druze MK Zaidan Attashi and possibly by Assaf Yagoury.

Should the break occur, the DMC would have to relinquish one of the four Cabinet portfolios it now holds on the basis of its strength in the Knesset. There were reports that the defectors would remain in the coalition government and demand a Cabinet seat on their own account. An announcement is expected later this week.

ILP WILL NOT JOIN GOVERNMENT

Meanwhile, the Independent Liberal Party voted 48-30 Friday not to join the Likud-led government. The decision was a rebuff to the party’s sole Knesset member, Gidean Hauser, who had argued that it was unwise for the ILP to remain an outsider at a time of momentous political events.

But veteran leader Moshe Kol insisted that the faction retain its independence. He expressed hope that Hausner would accept the majority decision. Hausner said, however, that he still believed it was not in the best interests of the party. “I shall consider my way in the future in the light of the decision. I shall make no hasty decisions,” he said.