The coalition easily defeated yesterday several no-confidence motions submitted to the Knesset by left-wing parties. The motions were made in protest of the Cabinet decision to declare the Palestinian Authority a \"terrorist-sponsoring entity.\" It wasn\'t all smooth sailing for Prime Minister Sharon, however. The coalition party National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu did not participate in the vote, to show its displeasure with the government\'s failure to successfully contain the non-stop mortar fire against Gush Katif. Yesterday, for instance, five mortars were launched at the Jewish communities there, lightly wounding two children, and two more were fired this afternoon.



Infrastructures Minister Avigdor Lieberman has met with Prime Minister Sharon several times over the past few days, demanding a stronger military response against Arafat. The request, so far, has not been met. MK Tzvi Hendel said again that if Sharon does not decide to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, \"his government has no reason to exist.\"