Israelis want a government without religious parties: poll

Mideast - AFP

Israelis want a government without religious parties: poll

Date: Fri, Aug 13, 2004

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Most Israelis want a secular government without the participation of religious factions, a poll said.

Fifty-nine percent of those questioned were in favour of a cabinet made up of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites)'s right-wing Likud party, the opposition Labour party and the centre-right Shinui party, according to the survey in the Yediot Ahronot daily.

However, only 16 percent favour the inclusion of a religious party in a such a coalition.

Although Sharon is pursuing talks with Labour on a new coalition, the move has angered Likud hardliners who firmly oppose the premier's plan to "disengage" from the Palestinians.

Under the plan, Israel would withdrawal from the Gaza Strip (news - web sites) and four other West Bank settlements by the end of 2005.

Sharon, who lost his parliamentary majority two months ago after right-wing partners defected, is trying to stitch together a new coalition which would allow him to steer the plan through the Knesset.

But the controversial plan has sharply divided his own party and the premier faces a tough session at a party convention set for Wednesday which is to be attended by some 3,000 members.

The poll was carried out by an independent institute and based on 498 responses. It had a margin of error of 4.5 percent.

SOURCE

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