(Updated Sunday 10AM) Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer says that he will pull his Labor Party out of the coalition government unless Prime Minister Ariel Sharon diverts 2003 State Budget funding away from Yesha (Judea, Samaria, and Gaza) communities. Ben-Eliezer would like the $149 million in funding slated for Yesha reallocated to serve the needs of disadvantaged populations within pre-1967 Israel. Ben-Eliezer is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister this morning to discuss his party's demands.
A Labor pull-out could lead to early national elections. The Prime Minister has threatened numerous times in recent months to take the country to early elections should his Cabinet parties fail to back the Budget. Currently, elections are not scheduled to take place until October 28, 2003.
A Labor pull-out could lead to early national elections. The Prime Minister has threatened numerous times in recent months to take the country to early elections should his Cabinet parties fail to back the Budget. Currently, elections are not scheduled to take place until October 28, 2003.