(24 Oct 1998) English/Nat
Israeli Prime Minister faces a tough battle persuading his right-wing government to support the peace agreement he signed with the Palestinians.
As he flies home to Israel, the question he must be asking himself is whether he'll be able to find the support he needs to keep his job, let alone push the accord through the Knesset.
The voice of Israel's settlers.
Right wing groups like these are opposed to any kind of compromise with the Palestinians.
The peace agreement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed on Friday with his Palestinian counterpart Yasser Arafat is sure to anger them.
The Jewish Settlers' Council has already been holding urgent meetings to formulate a strategy of opposition to the accord.
Political analyst Akiva Eldar says Netanyahu may well have painted himself into a corner.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Netanyahu cannot win the elections without the support of the settlers and the orthodox. He can not afford to give up their trust, and he lost it. So he is in a way trapped."
SUPER CAPTION: Akiva Eldar, Political Analyst
When Netanyahu put his name to the accord on Friday he was well aware he could be signing his political death warrant.
By doing so he has alienated the coalition of hardliners upon which his government rests.
Israeli media is reporting that when he returns from the United States he can expect support for the accord from just five of his cabinet ministers.
Four are reportedly opposed and seven others have yet to make up their minds.
The conservative legislator Moshe Arens says Netanyahu faces an uphill struggle to keep his coalition together.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It is not the end of the story. There will be many more negotiations, much tough negotiations in the future. So either away it is a continuing process."
SUPER CAPTION: Moshe Arens, Likud member of Knesset
Parliament approval will be easier to secure, with opposition parties saying they will back the agreement.
Their votes should cancel out No votes from hardline members of Netanyahu's coalition.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"He will have a conditioned safety net prepared by the peace camp in the Knesset. We will neutralize the votes of the right."
SUPER CAPTION: Yossi Beilin, Labour member of Knesset
This is some of the West Bank land which Netanyahu has committed his government to returning to the Palestinians.
It may not be prime agricultural land but it's likely to prove fertile soil for dissent within the ranks of the Israeli government.
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