The Knesset plenum defeated two no-confidence motions on
Monday, one submitted by the Likud on weapons smuggling along
the Philadelphi Route, and the other submitted by UTJ,
HaIchud HaLeumi and the NRP on rising poverty in Israel.
Both motions were defeated by a large majority. Forty-four
MKs opposed the no-confidence motions with only eight voting
in favor. MKs from Yisrael Beiteinu, who are on their way
into the coalition, abstained.
MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni lodged criticism against the coalition
parties Labor and Pensioners, saying, "The Prime Minister is
using you. The paragraphs in the coalition agreements you
signed are not being upheld and he is doing as he pleases.
This government is not trustworthy. Did they sit down with
you before yesterday's government vote to discuss the change
in the foundation law on the system of government?"
Later he attacked Shas, saying a paragraph in the coalition
agreement signed with the party and related to chareidi
education in local authorities is not being carried out.
"Today, the local authority is unable to fix a broken window
at the school without the approval of the funding committee.
And I ask the Shas Party: Paragraph 34 of the coalition
agreement says if an issue related to chareidi education vis-
a-vis the local authorities is not solved within 60 days then
the problem must be solved either through legislation or a
government decision. In the meantime a lot more than 60 days
have gone by and there has not been any law or decision.
Instead what we do have is a crisis at our institutions and
yours. This won't be forgiven."
MK Rabbi Meir Porush, who presented the no-confidence motion
for UTJ, said the government is numb and apathetic to social
predicaments and its cruel and dangerous economic policy is
leading to the spread of poverty.
Responding to the no-confidence motion, Minister Yaakov Edri
claimed the government is headed in the right direction and
has a clear plan on social issues. Had it not been for war,
he said, we would have already seen significant improvements
in this area, adding despite the war funding for social
programs has been added to the 2007 budget.
