Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday ordered the dismissal of Cabinet ministers from the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party, setting off a political crisis that could threaten the survival of his broad-based coalition. Sharon also fired deputy ministers from another ultra-Orthodox Jewish party, United Torah Judaism, in effect expelling the two parties from his government. The decision came after the two parties failed to support the government on an emergency economic plan presented in parliament. However, the dismissals would not take effect immediately, leaving time for last-minute wheeling and dealing.
From a political point of view, it makes some sense. The ultra-Orthodox parties are a drag on the coalition and they give it a bad smell — Jewish fundamentalists opposed to Islamic fundamentalists. Sharon's numbers are up, so what better time for an election that will probably strengthen his party and allow him to act a little more freely? |