Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's initiative to reform the system of government has evoked harsh reactions from most Knesset factions, both within and outside the coalition.

Olmert announced last week that Kadima, Minister for Strategic Affairs and Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman, and Pensioners' Party chairman, Minister Rafi Eitan, had all agreed to a draft proposal for the reform.

However, coalition factions Labor and Shas raised objections to the proposal, and it does not have a majority support in the coalition. The Likud and National Union-National Religious Party, who are in the opposition, also object to the proposal.

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Yisrael Beiteinu faction chair Esterina Tratman said Lieberman and Olmert had reached a few agreements but were still a long way away from supporting all the principles.

Minister Isaac Herzog (Labor) said Olmert should have coordinated the initiative together with Labor, the largest coalition partner. MK Avishai Braverman (Labor) accused Olmert of creating a spin in anticipation of his trip to Washington.

Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said Shas would object to any reforms that had not been agreed on by most coalition factions. Shas and the Likud were surprised by Olmert's announcement, assuming that the "round table" forum in the Knesset, which they are members of, was supposed to submit an agreed-upon proposal.

Likud faction chairman MK Gideon Sa'ar said Olmert's proposal was a threat to parliamentary democracy. He said he would set up a parliamentary panel, consisting of both coalition and opposition members, to strengthen the parliamentary system and to examine government reforms.

"We can no longer allow Olmert to make a mockery of Israeli democracy for political needs. His proposal palpably weakens the Knesset," he said.

National Union chairman MK Uri Ariel was circumspect about what he called the "government revolution" proposal: "This is a typical Olmert spin to create an agenda for the remainder of his term and to save his corrupt government."

NRP chairman MK Zevulun Orlev appointed an internal committee to examine the system of government and called for ensuring that the representation of religious Zionism in the government, Knesset and local authorities was not curtailed due to shady deals.

Coalition chairman MK Avigdor Itzchaky (Kadima) said that drafting a proposal that would be agreed on by most factions would take six to 12 months.