Ministers Chaim Ramon (Kadima) and Eli Yishai (Shas) refrained from voting on a Friday cabinet decision to approve the expansion of the “Cast Lead” operation in Gaza to include ground fighting. The two refused to vote after their demand to include the toppling of the Hamas regime in Gaza as a goal of the operation was met with silence.

The cabinet approved the ground operation and a call-up of tens of thousands of IDF reservists. Both the operation and the call-up began on Saturday night.