Israel's Likud ministers to quit government

[norml]

Israel's Likud ministers to quit government
03 Jan 2006 05:17:28 GMT

Source: Reuters

(Adds quote, details)

TEL AVIV, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Cabinet ministers from Israel's rightist Likud party will resign from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's cabinet this Sunday, party leader Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday.

Likud has been lagging in polls since Sharon quit to form a new party, Kadima, to contest Mar. 28 elections on a platform of ending conflict with the Palestinians.

The departure of the four Likud ministers -- the most senior is Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom -- is likely to have little impact for Sharon, whose cabinet is already serving as a caretaker administration until the election.

Sharon broke with Likud to escape rightists who opposed his withdrawal from the Gaza Strip last year or further pullouts in the West Bank from Jewish settlements on land that Palestinians seek for a state.

"The Likud must serve as an alternative to the policy of the Sharon government of continuing unilateral withdrawals," Netanyahu said in a statement.


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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L03218088.htm

[IndianaGreen]

1. Don't let the door hit you in the ass!

What remains in Likud are the most extreme rightwing elements. Good riddance!