TEL AVIV, Israel, May 4 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's new government, which intends to withdraw from large sections of the West Bank, was sworn in Thursday after wining the Knesset's confidence.
Sixty-five of the Knesset's 120 members voted for it and 49 voted against.
The Kadima Party, which the then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon formed before his January 4 stroke, leads the coalition. Its partners are the social-democratic Labor, the retired people's Gil and Shas that represents orthodox Jews whose families came from Arab countries.
Olmert told the Knesset he wants to expand the coalition by co-opting the ultra-orthodox Yahadut Hatorah (Torah Judaism) of Jews who came from European countries, the extremely dovish Meretz, and possibly the nationalist Israel Beitenu (Israel is Our Home).
The differences with Yahadut Hatorah are over budgets and jurisdiction of religious courts and talks are to resume next week. Meretz leader Yossi Beilin told the Knesset he supported Olmert's plan. "We can whole heartedly rely on him and support him," Beilin said.
It seemed that Meretz' cooption was more up to Olmert who has to decide whether he wants Meretz in the Cabinet. Its participation would strengthen his government's leftist-dovish image, something he may not want. Anyway Meretz would support his peace moves even if it were in the opposition.
Israel Beitenu's leader, Avigdor Liberman also wants to join the coalition. However Liberman wants to restrict the civil rights' of Israeli Arabs who do not identify with the Jewish state.
Olmert reacted by citing Israel's 1948 Declaration of Independence that promises full political and social equality to all citizens. That is something on which Israel cannot compromise, Olmert said.
If Meretz and Yahadut Hatorah join the government, Olmert's majority would increase to 78, two votes short of a two-thirds majority in parliament.
A withdrawal from parts of the West Bank is the main element in Olmert's plan for the coming four years and seven months, supposing his government lasts that long.
A withdrawal would be "a lifeline for Zionism" he said. It's a noose, countered Knesset hawks.
Olmert said he believes the Jews have a right over the entire Land of Israel, "But dreams and recognition of this right do not constitute a political program.... We must preserve a stable and solid Jewish majority in our state."
"Therefore we must focus on the areas where the Jewish majority is safe and secure. (Last summer's) disengagement from the Gaza Strip and (four settlements in) northern Samaria (the northern West Bank) was a first essential step in this direction but the main (move) is still ahead.
"Continued scattered settlement all over Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) created an inseparable mixture of populations that would endanger the State of Israel's existence as a Jewish state.... Dividing the land in order to ensure a Jewish majority is a lifeline for Zionism."
Olmert said he sought a constant dialogue with the "wonderful settlers." He said he prefers negotiations with the Palestinian Authority provided it is committed to the internationally devised roadmap for peace, fights terror, disarms terrorist groups, is democratic and honors all past agreements with Israel.
In a clear reference to the Hamas government he said, "A Palestinian government led by elements of terror will not be a partner to negotiations and there will be no practical and daily contact with it."
"We shall continue hitting terror and its instigators. We shall not hesitate to reach terrorists...everywhere, and I repeat and insist - everywhere, but we shall give the (Palestinian) Authority an opportunity to demonstrate its ...readiness to change," Olmert said.
Israel will not wait endlessly, he continued. "When we shall conclude the Authority is lingering....we shall act also without an agreement with the Palestinians ...to define the desired borders for the State of Israel.
"These borders must be defensible and ensure a solid Jewish majority. The security fence (i.e. barrier) will be adjusted."
Olmert did not talk of these lines as being Israel's "permanent borders."
"The security forces' range of operations will not be limited and will be in accordance with the security situation," he said.
Olmert did not describe the scope of the envisaged pullback except to say that, "Israel's boundaries formed in the coming year will be significantly different than the territories that are today in the State of Israel's hands."
He said he believed he could reach understandings that would give Israel "international backing" for such moves, primarily by U.S. President George Bush and from "our friends in Europe."
Opposition leader, former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of the Likud, slammed Olmert's program because it gives away "everything without negotiations.... What will you have left (for the negotiations)?"
Last year's disengagement shortened the distance Palestinians have to cover to attack Israel's southern town of Ashkelon and, "They will use any territory we give them as a base to attack us," Netanyahu continued.
Shas, whose voters are more right wing, indicated its membership in the new coalition might be shortened if Olmert moves to implement his program.
Shas opposes unilateral withdrawals and says its rabbis would consider any agreement with the Palestinians and decide how to react to it.
"Mr. Prime Minister," said Shas' former minister Shlomo Benizri, "Don't follow like a prisoner those leftists who are keen to get rid of parts of the Land of Israel...Do you want.... to divide the nation? In Gaza there were 5,000 residents (who were evacuated with much pain)... and (now) ....are you going to deport tens of thousands.... Do you really think it will pass quietly?"
Netanyahu told Olmert the main issue is the Iranian nuclear threat and suggested that be the main item in Olmert's meeting with Bush this month. At that point Olmert bit his nail.
