Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., November 27, 2007 Kislev 17, 5768 | | Israel Time: 04:52 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman (Alon Ron) and Shas Chairman Eli Yishai (Uriah Tadmor / BauBau) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 10:50 26/11/2007 Olmert fears Lieberman, Shas will bolt coalition soon after conference By Yossi Verter, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is concerned Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman may resign from the coalition when final-status negotiations with the Palestinians begin, he reportedly told associates before leaving for Annapolis. Olmert's bureau is concerned that if Yisrael Beiteinu bolts the coalition, Shas will be unable to withstand pressure from the right and will also resign. At present, the Shas leadership is divided over whether to stay put or leave the government: Shas officials told Haaretz that the party chairman, Industry, Trade and Employment Minister Eli Yishai, is leaning toward resignation, while the party's number 2, Ariel Atias, opposes the move as long as Israel-Palestinian talks have not moved ahead. In the context of the concerns in Olmert's bureau, Minister without Portfolio Ami Ayalon (Labor) met Sunday with Shas' spiritual mentor Rabbi Ovadia Yosef at Yosef's home in Jerusalem. Ayalon, who has become fairly close to Olmert since joining the cabinet two months ago, asked Yosef not to pull Shas out of the coalition if Yisrael Beiteinu bolts. Ayalon told Yosef that a failed diplomatic process would be very dangerous for Israel and the region. He also told the rabbi that if a coalition crisis did ensue, he expected Shas to "act responsibly" and maintain stability in the coalition. Advertisement Yosef listened to Ayalon but did not respond. Last week, Lieberman said that his faction would decide on its moves in the weeks following the Annapolis summit, in keeping with developments in talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Sources in Kadima said Sunday that Lieberman's resignation would not result in immediate shock waves in the coalition. "If Lieberman resigns because of talks between Israel and the Palestinians, there's always the possibility of bringing in Meretz. Meretz will find it hard to say no, because after all it is the party of peace," the Kadima source said. Related articles: Olmert to discuss Iran with Bush during U.S. visit Bush adviser downplays role of joint statement at conference J'lem sources: PM to call for road map implementation in Annapolis Rightists target mainstream to fight concessions at Annapolis Israel to go on high terror alert due to Annapolis peace summit ANALYSIS / Should IDF reduce its PA activity ahead of summit? Bookmark to del.icio.us The IDF's dilemna To what extent should measures in the West Bank and Gaza be rolled back in the coming days? Not one inch Hamas says they will reject any deals made by Abbas in Annapolis.   1.   THEY SHOULD HAVE LEFT BEFORE 10:59  |  B.Heddem 26/11/07   2.   they have remained in a coalition of the inept for too long 11:20  |  victor hardman 26/11/07   3.   WHEN WILL ALL THE CORRUPT LEADERS OF ISRAEL REALIZE THAT THE 12:25  |  Alon -Chiloni 26/11/07   4.   THE G-D OF ISRAEL NIETHER SLUMBERS NOR SLEEPS! 12:26  |  Alon -Chiloni 26/11/07   5.   To Alon -Chiloni 14:36  |  dovale 26/11/07   6.   Act like the Russian. Do a Putin arrest Lieberman 15:57  |  Israeli patriot. 26/11/07   7.   Lieberman,Shas 21:05  |  Gershon Ron 26/11/07   8.   Break the coalition, call for new elections 04:36  |  M.K. 27/11/07   9.   The lies and twistings of Shas AND Israel Beitenu 04:39  |  EGW 27/11/07

Today Online Bradley Burston: Nine reasons Annapolis will succeed Responses: 226 Jawad Boulous: Did Livni intend transfer of Israeli Arabs? Responses: 150 PM to discuss Iran with Bush during U.S. visit Responses: 101 Giant Israeli flag breaks record for largest in world Responses: 151 Rosner's Domain The Rosner Annapolis reader Between the teachers strike and the strike on Syria Rosner's Guest: Good reasons for Israel to explore Syria negotiations The 2008 candidates and the peace processes (WTR) More Headlines 03:19 Bush to call for peace based on 2 nation states 01:36 Saudi FM: U.S. to offer specific Mideast proposals at summit 01:08 Olmert: Israel, not U.S. Jews, will decide the future of Jerusalem 02:25 Analysis: To have any success in talks, PA delegates lower hopes 04:02 Iran fights back against sudden chill of isolation in Arab world 23:24 Major N.Y. Islamic center honors Orthodox rabbi at annual event 03:26 Simon Wiesenthal Center launches new Nazi hunt in South America 01:22 Israel's largest drug den claims third victim in two months 22:36 Gov't to ask court to halt teacher strike; PM: They won't break us Previous Editions Select Day 26 nov 25 nov 23 nov 22 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 16 nov 15 nov 14 nov 13 nov

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