Israel's Coalition Government Stalls Amid Peace Process Divide

Frustrated efforts to form a coalition government in Israel continued Sunday, as Prime Minister Ehud Barak and opposition leader Ariel Sharon remained divided over the future of the Middle East peace process. A luncheon meeting between the two at Barak's official residence failed to bridge their differences, with Barak unwilling to abandon the peace process and Sharon pushing for a tougher stance against Arab violence. The stalemate threatens to upend Israeli politics, with the Knesset set to resume deliberations on Monday.

Key Takeaways:

• The Labor Party, led by Prime Minister Ehud Barak, is seeking to maintain the peace process momentum, with Barak willing to make major territorial concessions in exchange for peace.
• The Likud Party, led by Ariel Sharon, is advocating for a tougher stance against Arab violence, with Sharon rejecting the Camp David understandings and seeking a "different process."
• The Shas party has promised Barak a safety net, ensuring his government will not be toppled during the emergency period.
• A senior Labor Party source expressed frustration with the stalemate, calling it "absurd" that Sharon's hardline stance was gaining traction.
• A Likud aide stated that Sharon does not want cooperation with the government to be used merely as a means to give Barak "political breathing space."

Statistics:

• The Israeli coalition government consists of 30 members in the 120-seat Knesset, which resumes deliberations on Monday.
• The Knesset has been on recess since the summer, and its resumption on Monday marks the beginning of a critical period for the coalition government.
• The Sharm el-Sheikh summit, held this month, resulted in understandings that Barak is committed to upholding, despite Sharon's reservations.

Sources:

• United Press International (UPI)
• Radio interview with Ehud Barak courtesy of Israeli radio broadcast (no date specified)
• Quote from Likud former Finance Minister Meir Shetrit