JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's firing Friday of two right-wing ministers opposed to his plans to pull out of the Gaza Strip was likely to ensure a Cabinet majority for the proposal but sparked speculation that it might bring about the collapse of his government.
Sharon sent dismissal letters by courier to Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Tourism Minister Benny Elon, members of the hard-line National Union Party.
The prime minister intends to seek Cabinet approval Sunday for his proposal to withdraw from 21 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and four others in the northern West Bank.
Sharon was one vote shy of a majority for his plan in the 23-member Cabinet. With two opponents gone, he is left with an 11-to-10 advantage.
Under Israeli law, Sharon had to act at least 48 hours before the Cabinet meeting.
Elon went into hiding Friday, saying he was trying to dodge receipt of the dismissal note in hopes of rendering the firing invalid and foiling Sharon's plan to hold a vote. It was unclear if the Cabinet session would be delayed because Elon had successfully avoided receiving the note in person.
The firing came after marathon negotiations that failed to win over rebellious ministers in Sharon's Likud Party.
Among the key questions was whether holdout Likud ministers would end up joining Sharon. That would have rendered the firing unnecessary and staved off the possibilities of a governmental crisis and a damaging split inside Israel's dominant party.
Some analysts regard the firing, which can be undone before Sunday's session, as an instance of brinkmanship by Sharon.
"There is the potential for an important turning point, but we'll see," said Dan Meridor, a former Likud Cabinet minister. Sharon "seems determined now. If he stays determined, it's a major leadership step."
The direction of a second rightist party in the governing coalition, the National Religious Party, remained in question Friday. If the party quits in protest of the withdrawal, as its leader, Housing Minister Effi Eitam, has urged, Sharon would lose his ruling majority in the parliament, or Knesset. That could prompt him to find a new partner, such as the left-leaning Labor Party, which favors the Gaza pullout, or send Israel to fresh elections.
Some analysts say one possibility is that Sharon would run at the top of a moderate bloc created from elements of Likud, Labor and the centrist Shinui Party, which is already part of the government.
