Sharon fears for government future

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned today his government could fall over a crucial budget vote this month if hard-line rebels in his Likud Party make good on threats to vote against the spending plan.

If the 2005 state budget does not pass by March 31, Sharon must step down and new elections will be called, endangering his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements this summer.

Thirteen of 40 Likud MPs oppose the pullout plan and have said they would vote against the budget, depriving Sharon of a majority in parliament, though opposition MPs might support him at the last minute.

It remains unclear whether all rebels will vote no since they could lose their parliament seats after new elections.

Addressing female members of the Likud, Sharon said his government could easily fall over the budget.

“We face a problem today. The problem is that there is a group within the Likud that threatens to vote against the budget and bring down the Likud government,” Sharon said.

Several opposition parties have said they would vote against the budget, but are expected to change their position at the last minute if opposing the spending plan would mean bringing down Sharon and delay the Gaza withdrawal.

If he wins last-minute support from the opposition, Sharon could survive without the Likud rebels.

Under Sharon’s plan, Israel will remove Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip and four more from the northern West Bank starting this summer. The opponents bitterly oppose conceding land to the Palestinians.