# Sharon fires ministers ahead of Gaza vote **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 5, 2004, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sharon-fires-ministers-ahead-of-gaza-vote/248774 "2004-06-05T05:28:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rookie523](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@rookie523](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rookie523)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sharon-fires-ministers-ahead-of-gaza-vote/248774/1 "2004-06-05T05:28:09Z")
> [@](#): > > Dismissals would give prime minister a majority > > JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon fired two government ministers today to clear the way for approval of his Gaza withdrawal plan, but one minister went into hiding, avoiding delivery of his dismissal letter and threatening to delay this weekend’s vote. > The dismissals, which would create a cabinet majority in Sharon’s favour at the risk of tearing apart his coalition, underscored the Israeli leader’s move to the political centre after a career as a settler patron. > > But the political drama at times bordered on farce as the two rebellious ministers tried to dodge the prime minister’s couriers carrying dismissal letters. Transport Minister Avigdor Lieberman was eventually tracked down at his gym, but Tourism Minister Benny Elon’s whereabouts remained a mystery, with Israeli media reporting he went to Gaza or the West Bank. > > The firings only take effect 48 hours after they have been received in person, and Sharon will not have a cabinet majority for his Gaza plan until the two ministers from the National Union party are formally dismissed. Israeli media reported late today that efforts to reach a compromise to end the crisis were continuing. Now I don’t know how the Israeli government works, but isn’t this move odd? Isn’t this what dictators do to get what they want? I haven’t seen anything in this forum about this news. No one else think this is odd? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sharon-fires-ministers-ahead-of-gaza-vote/248774/2 "2004-06-05T06:04:23Z")
There’s a cabinet vote Sunday to approve the Gaza withdrawal, and it’s going to come down to one or two votes. There’s no doubt the National Union members will vote against it, because they’re really pro-settlement and anti-Palestinian (of the “Ship them to Jordan” variety), so Sharon’s getting them out of the cabinet and his coalition, and just hoping that Netenyahu and his people in the cabinet fall in line. Meanwhile, Shas is talking no-confidence and National Union is expected to go along with them. ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sharon-fires-ministers-ahead-of-gaza-vote/248774/3 "2004-06-05T06:32:47Z")
> [@rookie523](#): > > Now I don’t know how the Israeli government works, but isn’t this move odd? > Isn’t this what dictators do to get what they want? > I haven’t seen anything in this forum about this news. > No one else think this is odd? Israeli government works on a Parliamentary Coalition basis. IOW, the Prime Minister needs to present his/her government (cabinet) to the Knesset (our Parliament) and obtain its “Vote of Confidence”. This can be repealed at any time by a “Vote of No Confidence” - in which case the government falls, and a new one must be selected and presented - possibly by the same Prime Minister, possibly by another, possibly also causing new elections for Knesset (which, with a new makeup, may produce a markedly different government). The Prime Minister may, at any point, rearrange the government. This happens many times. Obtaining the various ministers’ (and their parties’) approval is part of the political game in a parliamentary decmocracy. One way of rearranging the government **in the absence** of approval by a specific party is to make due without it… kick it out of the coalition and the government. This is normally done by formally sacking the ministers from that party. This has two consequenses: 1. This party is no longer a member of the coalition. So it cannot affect government decisions aymore. 2. This party is no longer a member of the coalition. So it will (most likely) vote **against** the government in the next No Confidence Vote - just like any opposition party. Basicly, Sharon has told the National Union - “I no longer want you in the government. You are now in the opposition and you are free to vote against me in the Knesset”. Don’t see how this is un-democratic. Most Europeans on this board should be able to confirm that this particular step is almost _de rigeur_ in **any** parliamentary (rather than Presidential, as in the US) political system. As to the **“Why”** Sharon is dismissing the National Union from government - see **Captian Amazing** ’s very good brief analysis above. Dani