HAARETZ 1. SHARON FIRES SHINUI MINISTERS; WILL ASK LIKUD CONFERENCE TO BRING IN LABOR. Senior Likud officials: Move to fire Shinui ministers was planned; they warn: PM will find it difficult to expand coalition without Shas. 2. LETTERS OF DISMISSAL WERE PRINTED BEFORE VOTE. 3. WORLD BANKS TERMS FOR AID TO PA: ISRAEL WILL EASE CLOSURES, PA WILL IMPLEMENT REFORMS. 4. CONDEMNATIONS OF BARGHOUTI IN FATAH: HE SUBMITTED HIS CANDIDACY FOR PA CHAIRMANSHIP. 5. DEAF-MUTE EGYPTIAN YOUTH IMPRISONED IN ISRAEL BECAUSE THEY DIDNT BOTHER COMMUNICATING WITH HIM. HATZOFEH 1. Five Shinui ministers fired after voting against budget. SHARON WAITING FOR PERES. Dramatic day in Israeli politics – budget law defeated 69-43. Among opponents: Shas, Shinui and NRP. United Torah Judaism voted in favor. Sharon fires five Shinui ministers after their fvoted against law. Dismissals to take effect within 48 hours. Dismissals topped day full of denigration and smears between Sharon and Lapid. PM claims that Shinui feeds on hatred of haredim, Shinui Chairman says that he is no less a Jew than rabbis. Assessments that Sharon will appeal for establishment of government with haredi parties and Labor Party. 2. LEBANON DIVISION CO: HEZBOLLAH – SIGNIFICANT THREAT. MAARIV 1. Unity negotiations begin. Shas: We want to join. NEXT GOVERNMENT. Sharon to present ultimatum to Likud Central Committee: Unity or elections. Peres and Itzik have already begun negotiating with Sharon. Apparent: Interior and Justice portfolios to remain with Likud. 2. YAALON TO SOLDIERS: BREAK SILENCE. Asks: Tell about immoral events. 3. AFTER 41 YEARS: MALARIA IN ISRAEL. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. Crisis: Sharon fires Shinui ministers, begins negotiations with Labor. EN ROUTE TO NEW GOVERNMENT. Budget fell by large majority of 69 opponents – and government broke up along with it. Main obstacle to bringing in Labor: Likud Central Committee. Sharon believes that Likud wont want elections. Peres candidate for deputy premiership – full partner without portfolio. United Torah Judaism expected to receive Social Welfare portfolio. Trading seats: Minister Yisrael Katz expected to receive Interior portfolio, Livni and Shetrit candidates for Justice. Seven portfolios for Labor: Candidates – Ben-Eliezer, Itzik, Vilnai, Ramon, Sneh, Shohat, Mitzna, Simhon and Pines.
______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Hatzofeh criticizes Ehud Barak for his behaviour at this weeks Labor Party Central Committee meeting, and says regarding his hope to regain the Labor Party leadership, This chutzpah, that a failed leader, should attempt to make a comeback and lead the country is intolerable. The paper remarks this is typical of Israeli leaders behaviour and notes that Israel needs a revolution in all of the parties so that our lives will improve. Yediot Ahronot cites a recent survey according to which the majority of Israelis prefer a unity government comprised of the three largest parties, rather than elections, or a government that includes the ultra-orthodox. The editors believe that any new coalition with the ultra-orthodox will not last. Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, believes that when Syria was supported but the USSR it was not interested in peace with Israel, but adds that now, under US pressure, Damascus is more earnest in its efforts. At first they whispered, but now they are actually screaming for it, but the Israeli government is not willing to listen. The editors reprimand the government for not having the courage to take steps that could result in peace with Syria. BPI-info
