By: Mahmoud Al Abed
At the time when many of those interested in the Israeli political game thought that Prime Minister Ehud Barak has become totally incapable of maintaining balance, the premier made a surprising move Saturday.
He announced that he will eastablish a constitution for Israel within a year, promising to secure justice, equality and social reform.
Was the announcement merely a manuever by the veteran general to divert public attention from the war he is about to lose on the coalition and Knesset fronts?
Or was it that Barak has got fed up with being under the mercy of the religious and ultra-Orthodox parties that have been blackmailing him for their own benefits, waving the stick of withdrawal from and carrot of staying onboard the cabinet?
Can Barak suceed where all others have failed?
Analysts say that Barak is playing the game skilfully this time.
When the summer recess of the Israeli parliament is over, MKs will find on their desks government draft laws outlining Barak’s “secular agenda.”
Although the idea of drafting a constitution for the country to include all the basic laws needed for “civil reform” is not new, and has always been broken on the rocks of the vehement religious opposition, the timing that Barak has chosen was not bad at all.
First, according to Israeli analysts, the Likud will be painted into the corner and it is probable that they will vote for the reforms, otherwise they will face hard times with voters in the next elections.
Parties representing immigrants from the former Soviet Union are more likely to be compelled to support the moves, and Barak will win then, adding a new victory to a satisfactory list of achievements he will be proudly recalling in his coming election campaign.
Barak’s supporters and advisers believe that the withdrawal from Lebanon, economic growth, (though experts do not give the credit to current government for that), the reduction in purchase taxes, and the efforts he is putting into the peace process will secure Barak a landslide win in the next elections. If the Civil Reform becomes a law, Barak will have the right to celebrate a great accomplishment that would crown his career.
If not, however, he will go to the electorate and remind them of who stood between the Israeli society and the reforms to which it is aspiring.
In both cases, he is a winner, according to the analysts.
Chances are that Barak will get away with the drastic changes he intends to introduce into the Israeli political scenario.
According to press reports, Barak was sure that 60 MKs would vote in favor of the bills including members of One Israel, Meretz, the Arab parties, the Center Party, Shinui, and One Nation.
However, Barak was over optimistic, according to Justice Minister Yossi Beilin, because the Arab MKs will not be so enthusiastic about “National Service,” and others will be scrutinizing the costs of the reforms. But the risk is worth taking -- Albawaba.com
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
