As political analysts in the Knesset assumed, however, the minority government will once again survive the vote, following Labor's decision to abstain.
Two no-confidence motions will be voted on in the Knesset this afternoon. The Shas Party says that the government must be voted out of office because of the increasing poverty and the government's economic policies, while the National Union party has filed its own no-confidence motion on similar issues.
Spokesmen for the National Union told Arutz-7 that the party decided not to mention the government's diplomatic policies in its motion, "because then Labor certainly would not vote with us. This way, we'll put Labor in an awkward position - having to choose between voting with us and against the government, or voting with the government so as not to endanger the withdrawal from Gaza."
The Labor Knesset faction convened this afternoon, deciding whether or not to vote against the government. Faction head Dalia Itzik expressed her opinion this morning in favor of voting against the government: "The recent poverty report is something that cannot be ignored, and this government must be toppled." She admitted, however, that the disengagement must be carried out. Shimon Peres said that the party should continue to give the government a "safety net," implying that this might change by next week. The Labor MKs took a vote, and Peres' proposal to abstain today won out.
Labor MK Danny Yatom explained his party's position in the Knesset today: "We are not granting a total security net to the government. I assume that the breaking point will come during the budget vote, and then we will topple this government!" Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin then interrupted, "And then what will happen with the disengagement?" Yatom responded, "It will occur before the elections."
Some opposition MKs are not as confident, however. Arutz-7's Knesset correspondent Haggai Seri-Levy reports that there are fears within the opposition that Prime Minister Sharon does not plan to carry out the withdrawal, using various security excuses to push it off. These excuses could include a terror attack, or the setting of conditions that the PA will not be able to fulfill. Seri-Levy said that there are no such "concerns" within the Likud, however, and that the anti-disengagement forces are operating under the assumption that Sharon means what he says.
The government currently enjoys the support only of 55 MKs - 40 of the Likud, and 15 of Shinui. A mere majority vote against the government will not topple it, however; 61 MKs must vote against it, and must also present a Prime Ministerial alternative, in order to force a change in government.
Two no-confidence motions will be voted on in the Knesset this afternoon. The Shas Party says that the government must be voted out of office because of the increasing poverty and the government's economic policies, while the National Union party has filed its own no-confidence motion on similar issues.
Spokesmen for the National Union told Arutz-7 that the party decided not to mention the government's diplomatic policies in its motion, "because then Labor certainly would not vote with us. This way, we'll put Labor in an awkward position - having to choose between voting with us and against the government, or voting with the government so as not to endanger the withdrawal from Gaza."
The Labor Knesset faction convened this afternoon, deciding whether or not to vote against the government. Faction head Dalia Itzik expressed her opinion this morning in favor of voting against the government: "The recent poverty report is something that cannot be ignored, and this government must be toppled." She admitted, however, that the disengagement must be carried out. Shimon Peres said that the party should continue to give the government a "safety net," implying that this might change by next week. The Labor MKs took a vote, and Peres' proposal to abstain today won out.
Labor MK Danny Yatom explained his party's position in the Knesset today: "We are not granting a total security net to the government. I assume that the breaking point will come during the budget vote, and then we will topple this government!" Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin then interrupted, "And then what will happen with the disengagement?" Yatom responded, "It will occur before the elections."
Some opposition MKs are not as confident, however. Arutz-7's Knesset correspondent Haggai Seri-Levy reports that there are fears within the opposition that Prime Minister Sharon does not plan to carry out the withdrawal, using various security excuses to push it off. These excuses could include a terror attack, or the setting of conditions that the PA will not be able to fulfill. Seri-Levy said that there are no such "concerns" within the Likud, however, and that the anti-disengagement forces are operating under the assumption that Sharon means what he says.
The government currently enjoys the support only of 55 MKs - 40 of the Likud, and 15 of Shinui. A mere majority vote against the government will not topple it, however; 61 MKs must vote against it, and must also present a Prime Ministerial alternative, in order to force a change in government.