We have no way of telling whether government ministers voiced reservations over British Prime Minister David Cameron's cuts in social programs a few months ago when they convened for an emergency cabinet meeting Thursday, while violent riots raged in London and other cities across the U.K. Nor are we likely to find out whether there are any dissenting views in his government when it comes to his assertion that the events are rooted in the failure of multiculturalism in Britain. In this unique government, composed of two rather than the traditional one ruling party, no minister would openly threaten to bolt the Cameron Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition unless the Liberal Democrats decide to rock the boat by leaving en masse over policy differences. But in Israel, things are run differently. Here we have the various factions of the coalition knee-deep in budget talks, competing for every chunk and holding veto power over anything in the Knesset or its committees that they view as unacceptable. But then when Israel faces a crisis that puts the coalition on the defensive -- with the opposition duty-bound to make this happen -- every junior coalition faction will try to jump ship, even though there are no signs whatsoever that it is likely to capsize. But on what grounds? What good reason does Interior Minister Eli Yishai have to come out and say things that might rock the coalition? Is it because he is a champion of those who stay inside Torah study halls rather than contribute to our nation's economy, stretching it thin on its resources? Is it because of the dubious standards Yishai's Shas party has introduced over the years when it comes to treating draft dodgers? Coalition members are entitled to extract populist political mileage through hollow declarations void of any responsibility, as, of course, are opposition members. But what about a government minister? Only in Israel. And if that is not enough, minister Yishai's willingness to upend the coalition comes not from some deeply held conviction or political insight induced in light of the protest tents being set up across the country. If and when Yishai goes rogue he will do so not because he is alarmed by possible erosion in the U.S. support for Israel on the world stage, but rather because he perceives his predecessor as Shas leader, former minister Aryeh Deri, snatching potential Knesset seats away from him with his yet-to-be-announced candidate list. This lies at the heart of Yishai's recent willingness to rattle his saber, and the government is severely crippled by such behavior. Cameron can remain steadfast because he only has to contend with his official opposition, while his potential rivals from within hold their tongues. It appears we can look at foreign parliaments with envy.
