Shamir’s Cabinet Easily Survives 1st No-Confidence Vote
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir’s right-wing Cabinet easily survived its first test of no confidence Monday when Parliament rejected five motions over a housing shortage and new Jewish settler guard units in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
A close vote had been anticipated in the 120-member Knesset, where a coalition headed by Shamir’s right-wing Likud Party has a narrow majority of 62 seats.
But following a five-hour debate, the five motions of no confidence were defeated, 60 to 51.
Monday’s motions focused on a housing shortage at a time when thousands of Soviets are emigrating to Israel. In the past month, hundreds of homeless Israelis have pitched tents in public parks to dramatize the issue.
Also on the agenda were motions against the government’s recent decision to set up civil guard units in the occupied territories.
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