Israel Matzav

Olmert desparate to retain power

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met on Friday with Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman in an effort to entice Lieberman and his 11 MK's into the coalition. Both of Olmert's current coalition partners - Labor and Shas - are opposed albeit for completely different reasons.

Labor is opposed because Lieberman is opposed to dismantling (read - expelling Jews) from 'illegal settlement outposts' located in Judea and Samaria. Labor is in favor of having more Amona's. Shas is opposed because Lieberman wants to institute civil marriage. Currently, all rights to marriage in Israel are controlled by the courts belonging to the various religions.

I have to take the family on a Chol HaMoed trip right now, but you can find more details here, here and here. For the record, I don't think this is going to happen, and I think Lieberman would be a fool to prop up Olmert's government since he and Netanyahu have the most to gain from new elections now.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:52 AM