Two Likud MKs presented an urgent agenda motion in the Knesset today calling for a freeze on new settlements in the occupied territories. Yitzhak Berman and Dror Seigerman, members of Likud’s Liberal Party wing, said their proposal was motivated solely by the precarious economic situation and the need to drastically reduce government expenditures.
Berman and Seigerman are regarded as mavericks who often deviate from the Likud party line. Seigerman said today that unless the Knesset presidium agrees to a debate on their motion, it would be presented as a regular bill. He said he was confident that a majority of the Knesset would support such a bill.
The controversial issue is surfacing at a time of growing concern in Likud circles over a possible coalition crisis. Rumors a week ago that Finance Minister Yigal Cohen-Orgad was considering a settlement freeze for economic reasons drew a storm of protests from Herut hardliners and a threat by the ultra-nationalist Tehiya Party to quit the coalition.
LIKELIHOOD OF LIKUD COALITION DEFECTIONS
Cohen-Orgad’s latest demands that each ministry submit a series of budget cuts that would add up to an overall nine percent reduction of government expenditures seemed to some to increase the likelihood of defections by one or more of Likud’s smaller coalition partners.
Pressure was reported to be growing inside the Aguda Israel party to abandon Likud and form a partnership with the opposition Labor Alignment. Aguda leader Avraham Shapire said today that the Cabinet should either give its full support to Cohen-Orgad or call early elections. But he did not mention a possible alternative coalition with Labor.
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