The Labor Party is in a deep state of crisis that could
affect the entire coalition. The party has no leader or
leadership. It is just a bunch of MKs, each doing his own
thing. Almost all consider themselves worthy of becoming
party chairman, a title Amir Peretz now holds in name
only.
Labor's coalition discipline has been weak from the day it
joined the Olmert government. Since Peretz is not perceived
as a commanding figure, Labor MKs have felt free to vote as
they please in the Knesset.
Labor has 19 MKs, including seven ministers. Of the 12 MKs
who are not ministers, Ephraim Sneh is probably the only one
who follows Peretz' authority, showing deference for his
title of party chairman. Meanwhile four of the MKs plan to
vie for his post: Ami Ayalon, Avishai Braverman, Dani Yatom
and Matan Vilnai.
Even Peretz' close allies like Shelly Yachimovich are no
longer loyal to the Party Chairman, based on a sense that he
has abandoned his social agenda in favor of the prestigious
job of Defense Minister (which in practice has brought him a
lot of problems and little prestige). They see a mutiny
against Peretz as a way of getting the party back on
track.
The seven ministers, on the other hand, continue to support
Peretz — at least for appearance's sake. They would be
the first to lose from any move that led the party to resign
from the coalition (although on Tuesday morning two ministers
took an independent tack on the appointment of a commission
of inquiry).
Thus, Labor has turned into a party of ministers vs. MKs. As
a result, Olmert has no problem dealing with his Labor
ministers while Labor MKs are making life miserable for
Opposition Chairman Avigdor Yitzchaki.
Even the seven Labor ministers lack unity due to various
degrees of reliance on the Party Chairman. Some are dependent
on Peretz, while others feel confident of their political
strength with or without him. Thus it comes as little
surprise that Eitan Cabel and Yuli Tamir recently mimicked
their party leader's calls for negotiations with Syria, which
could save Peretz from having to take some of the blame for
the failures of the war against Hizbullah.
Olmert and Peretz
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is also dependent on Peretz. The
public is calling both of them to task for the failures of
the war in Lebanon and demanding that both of them resign.
Coalition Chairman Avigdor Yitzchaki recently called on
Olmert to dismantle the coalition, saying, "Labor is not a
reliable partner." Instead he proposed bringing in Yisrael
Beiteinu and UTJ. Though it would mean 17 mandates rather
than 19, Yitzchaki holds that such a coalition would be more
stable and dependable.
Olmert has yet to reply to Yitzchaki's proposal. With the
winter session of the Knesset still six weeks away, the Prime
Minister is in no hurry. During the recess he does not have
to contend with no-confidence motions, get laws passed or
deal with votes on budget cuts.
Neither is Olmert currently in a position to rock the boat by
altering the coalition. His foremost concern is political
survival, together with Peretz. Now is not the time to
dissolve their partnership. In fact now is the time to
strengthen their partnership since together they stand a
better chance of holding back the storm waves of public
condemnation.
Olmert fully realizes that if he tries to get rid of Peretz
or heap obstacles before him as Defense Minister, Peretz
could join those who want Olmert's head. He also knows that
if Peretz hangs his dirty laundry outside, he will soon find
himself out of the Prime Minister's Office.
Predictable Appointment
Chaim Ramon resigned from his post as Justice Minister last
week after it was decided to issue an indictment against him.
Olmert chose Meir Shetreet, minister of Construction and
Housing, to serve as acting Justice Minister.
Interior Minister Roni Bar-On and Foreign Affairs Minister
Tzippi Livni, both of whom served as justice minister under
Sharon, were also in the running. But since Olmert is in the
shakiest political situation since stepping into Sharon's
shoes, his selection of Shetreet was one of political
expediency.
Shetreet was the first Kadima minister to come out against
the Convergence Plan, saying it had lost its relevance. He
even claimed that it had never been a part of Kadima's
platform. Shetreet is known as a plucky politician and Olmert
knew just what he'd be in for if he overlooked him again. So
he gave him the prestigious justice portfolio — in
addition to the housing portfolio, of course — to
prevent Shetreet from joining the PM's critics in the
aftermath of the war.
