Parliamentary Defeat Puts Sharon on the Brink

[Kellanved]

The Israeli parliament voted against the state budget tonight, triggering a political crisis that could topple Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government and stall or scuttle his plan to pull out of Gaza and part of the West Bank next year.

Sharon himself brought the situation to a head, calling the first of three votes on the budget, knowing it would fail – giving him a chance to reshuffle his shaky minority coalition.

But it was a risky move, possibly leading to a general election, which would stall or kill the withdrawal.

With his government in tatters because of internal opposition to the pullout plan, Sharon was unable to garner a majority in favour of the budget, losing 69-43.

...
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3830655

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. This is important.

If the Isreali people toss out the Likudniks, seismic shanges in their policies could occur, especially with a leftward turn. This could change a lot of things in the ME.

For the better? Don't ask me. Psychic I am not.

This is long overdue.

[rodeodance]

2. I have read stories of Sharon being a brutal General (when he was in the

Irael army). I think it is good if he gets outed!!

[montanacowboy]

4. Watch out what you ask for

...we might get Benjamin Neytanugh (sp) sorry - and if you think Sharon is bad - this guy is really bonkers

[damntexdem]

3. Oh, Sharon has long been over the brink.

It's just finally, maybe, caught up to him.

[kysrsoze]

5. You guys forgot that the reason for the problem is opposition to Sharon's

plan. Although I despise Sharon and think he's a war criminal, I think we stand to see things get much worse. I really don't know why he supports the pull-out other than Israel handing the tiny Gaza strip over as a token measure (they really could care less as long as it's not Jerusalem). However, I believe the majority of the government is opposed to even that. In other words, things could go south very fast.

[Hard Attack]

7. You're absolutely Correct..

[VegasWolf]

6. Couldn't happen to a sweller guy. n/t