Netanyahu Orders Ministers to Quit Coalition
Full Text:
“Likud chairman Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu has ordered Likud ministers to quit the government coalition Thursday. He previously said he would not disrupt the government following the hospitalization of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon but that Kadima and Labor parties have changed the political situation by recent statements.”
“Netanyahu also charged that Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is leading the Kadima party to divide Jerusalem and that the Likud party cannot remain silent.”
For More Background; Netanyahu Tells Likud Ministers to Resign Thurs.
Excerpts;
“One day before party primary elections, Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday instructed the party’s four cabinet ministers to hand their resignation from the government on Thursday. ”
“Netanyahu said that he decided on the move after Kadima renewed election campaign activities despite an across-the-board agreement to halt campaigning for the upcoming March 28 election due to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s condition.”
“The Likud walkout had been initially planned for last Sunday.”
“The resignation of the Likud ministers, following an earlier withdrawal by Labor, would leave Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with just six other active cabinet members, all of them from Kadima.”
“The four ministers – Limor Livnat, Silvan Shalom, Yisrael Katz and Danny Naveh – said they were surprised by Netanyahu’s decision, which was not discussed with them earlier.”
“Sources close to the ministers said they had held a phone conference and weighed bringing the decision to the Likud Central Committee’s vote. They blasted Netanyahu’s move, saying he had acted out of personal interest because he wanted to be named opposition leader.”
“But Netanyahu’s associates said the ministers would quit the government since they knew the resignation was only put on hold following Sharon’s second hospitalization. They said that Likud could not sit in the same government with Kadima, which advocates the division of Jerusalem.”
Likud Ministers Refuse to Quit Cabinet
Excerpts;
“On the eve of Likud primaries, party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Likud ministers – Limor Livnat, Silvan Shalom, Yisrael Katz and Danny Naveh – to submit government resignation letters Thursday morning.”
“The letters would come into force within 48 hours from the moment they are submitted.”
“However, sources close to the ministers said they had decided not to pull out of the government, despite Netanyahu’s call to quit.”