PM nixes Netanyahu proposal for Gaza pullout referendum

[Violet_Crumble]

Am I missing something? Wouldn't a referendum result in the majority of Israelis supporting the disengagement plan? So I don't understand Netanyahu wanting it to go to a referendum.

A referendum on disengagement is "not on the agenda," Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told Haaretz in an interview yesterday, saying he believed the schedule set for approval of the disengagement plan does not leave time for such a referendum.

For this reason, Sharon said he had not supported a nation-wide referendum but preferred holding a referendum among the Likud rank-and-file. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said cabinet and Knesset decisions were enough to authorize disengagement, but that he has no objection to a referendum if there were time.

Meanwhile, the National Religious Party Central Committee decided by a large majority to remain in the coalition until a decision is made on a referendum with a special majority.

One day prior to the security cabinet debate on the principles of the disengagement bill, Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu caught everyone by surprise by calling for a referendum on disengagement to be held after expediting the passage of a referendum law.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/477562.html

[Knurled99]

1. Netanyahu wants a referendum because it will buy him

more time (about 3 months.) Also I think there is some thinking that if he could destabilize the pullout plan that Sharon might somehow lose the PM position. Something about him having only a narrow majority vote in Parliament or on his cabinet or something. (Not entirely sure about Israeli government structure.)

[bemildred]

2. Yeah, it's a stall. nt

[sabbat hunter]

3. minority gov't

currently sharon actually has a minority gov't. but enough other parties, despite not being in his coalition, wont support a vote of no confidence, which allows sharon to remain on as PM without having to call new elections.

israel has a government along the lines of England, no formal constitution, a parlimentary government, a president/king with only ceremonial powers. people dont vote for a person, instead they cast their vote in favor of a party.
israels problem is that it gives parties that capture as little as 5% of the vote seats in the Knessset. and in a fractured society that causes a fractured parliament and an unstable government.


peace
david
:hippie: