Israel’s Likud-led government was shaken in the Knesset on Wednesday, when the opposition succeeded, with the help of two coalition partners, in blocking a multimillion-shekel allocation to religious institutions of the Orthodox parties.
Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir invoked coalition discipline to preserve his government, which depends largely on the religious parties for its parliamentary majority.
But he faced defiance from at least one member, Agriculture Minister Rafael Eitan, who heads the two-seat secular Tsomet faction. Eitan suggested the time may be ripe for early elections, however inconvenient they would be for the two major parties.
The turmoil began when the plenum unexpectedly rejected the allocation of some 90 million shekels of state funds, about $41 million, mainly to institutions of the Shas and Agudat Yisrael parties.
The monies had been approved by the Finance Committee only hours before, and passage of the requisite legislation seemed routine.
But an unexpectedly large opposition turnout voided the allocations on a motion by Haim Oron of Mapam. It was supported by Eitan, who has traditionally objected to the haggling that determines allocation of state funds. Several members of the National Religious Party, which is also Orthodox, agreed that the allocations should be set according to established standards.
Shamir, who summoned his ministers for urgent consultations, insisted that Tsomet and the NRP support the measure in its original form. He called for a second vote.
Time was short, however, since the Knesset had planned to start its Passover recess Thursday.
The NRP announced Wednesday afternoon that it would vote for the allocations, but only if they were reduced to 38.5 million shekels, about $17.7 million.
While Shas and the Agudah balked at any changes, Eitan stood fast. He said he would not support the allocations, even if he had to resign or was fired by the prime minister.
Shamir told Eitan a negative vote in the second round would be tantamount to a vote of no confidence in the government and would trigger his dismissal from the Cabinet.
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