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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 July 1999 Issue No. 437 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 July 1999 Issue No. 437
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Focus Books Travel Living Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters Expectations and reality
By Abdel-Alim Mohamed *
In a bid to secure wide support for his government in the Knesset as well as strong backing from the majority, Barak went to great lengths in forming his coalition government. His efforts to bring together elements from left-wing, centre and extremist religious parties lasted over six weeks. The government he is to present to the Knesset at the end of the week will be supported by 77 of the 120 members in the Knesset.
The crucial point, however, is not the number of seats supporting the government, but the policy it intends to adopt. Barak's negotiations have watered down the conditions set by Shas, the ultra religious party, eliminated Meretz's objections to its joining the coalition, and allowed the National Religious Party (the party most supportive of the settlers in the West Bank and Jerusalem and most virulently opposed to returning any land) to join: what policy will he therefore adopt? While Shas is ultra religious in orientation, it is not opposed to the conclusion of peace with the Arabs and Palestinians, and accepts Israel's withdrawal from certain areas in the West Bank.
Having tried, and failed, to include the Likud in his government, Barak turned to the orthodox religious parties. In both cases, he was making it clear that he had played no part in drawing the image propagated by the media. Only Israel's policy on the peace settlement and the various issues involved, however, will determine the fate of his image both at home and abroad.
*This week's Soapbox speaker is an expert at the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.
