Barak Government Survives Motions
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak’s government survived no-confidence motions in parliament Monday, but members of his broad coalition used the votes to show their displeasure over domestic issues and peace talks with Israel’s Arab neighbors.
Lawmakers from three coalition parties abstained, were absent or voted against the government, a sign of Barak’s eroding support in parliament. Legislative approval is necessary for peace agreements with Syria and the Palestinians.
A no-confidence motion citing a government plan to include works by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish on an optional reading list for Israeli schools was defeated 47 to 42.
Legislators from the ultra-Orthodox Shas and the hard-line National Religious Party--both coalition members--voted against Barak. Ministers and deputies from those parties abstained or did not show up.
A no-confidence motion offered by Arab lawmakers against the planned early release of a Jewish settler who killed a Palestinian also failed.
The refusal by some coalition partners to back the government signals resentment over Barak’s purported plan to give the Palestinians control of areas just outside Jerusalem.
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