Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Photo: Yisrael Hadari
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
Photo: AFP
‘Bibi won’t be fired’
Prime Minister Sharon not expected to dismiss Finance Minister Netanyahu over his intention to skip Wednesday’s Knesset vote on delaying pullout, political sources estimate. Earlier, both sides traded veiled threats
JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will not dismiss Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even if the latter chooses to skip the upcoming Knesset vote on delaying the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank pullout, political sources estimate.
"If Sharon decides to fire Netanyahu on Wednesday, he might as well give him the Likud Party leadership and the position of prime minister," they said. "If Sharon fires Bibi (Benjamin Netanyahu), he ends his career as Likud Party chairman."
Associates of the two figures traded veiled threats ahead of the upcoming vote, but the sources said that despite the heated rhetoric, Sharon has no reason to open a new front a month before the disengagement rolls around, as he still faces difficult struggles against settlers and anti-pullout activists.
Several Sharon advisors apparently back the possibility of dismissing Netanyahu, but sources close to the prime minister refused to commit themselves and said Sharon’s position would be clarified following the Knesset vote, scheduled for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the government will discuss Sunday morning Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz’s proposal to delay the pullout by three months. The vote has mostly symbolic value as the government is expected to reject the idea by a large margin, with all Labor party ministers and some Likud ministers slated to vote against it.
Still, four Likud ministers are expected to back the proposal: Netanyahu, Katz, Health Minister Danny Naveh, and Minister Tzachi Hanegbi. Education Minister Limor Livnat and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom refused to reveal how they intend to vote.
Sharon, bibi trade threats
On Saturday, sources close to Sharon issued veiled threats that Netanyahu would lose his position as finance minister if he did not support disengagement in next week's Knesset vote. But Netanyahu sources said that he has not changed his mind.
In fact, sources close the finance minister let loose with threats of their own.
Dangerous Games
By Diana Bachur-Nir and Ilan Marciano
Reports say Netanyahu plans to be absent from Knesset vote on pullout’s postponement; sources close to Sharon say ‘Law states a minister must back government’s decisions’
"Netanyahu has decided how he will act – and the matter is closed for him," they added. "He doesn't plan to resign. He doesn't think of the time when he has to stop his work as finance minister."
The Netanyahu sources said that the finance minister is confident of what he gives the government – and not just in the field of economics.
Cabinet and Knesset votes
The controversy emerged after right-wing Knesset lists presented a number of bills recommending a delay by up to six months in the disengagement. The ministerial legislative committee is expected to oppose these recommendations – though Katz has appealed and the issue will be brought before the cabinet.
The vote on Katz's appeal will take place Sunday. Netanyahu, who in the past weeks repeatedly attacked the disengagement plan and said that it had to be "reconsidered," said that he would vote against the government.
The big question is how he will vote on Wednesday in the Knesset.
Netanyahu is currently planning to sit on the fence. He has not supported the prime minister on disengagement but he also has not given Sharon a reason for firing him. But this trick has not pacified Sharon.
Sharon's office has refused to directly threaten Netanyahu, but sources there have hinted that the finance minister's future is shaky.
"There's a law, and the finance minister must openly support the decision of the government," they told Ynet.
A convenient trip abroad by Netanyahu will not placate Sharon's people: "If the minister cannot make for reasons not to do with the topic of the vote, that's one thing. However, the minister is saying ahead of time that he plans to violate his collective responsibility."
