In what once was almost unprecedented but has recently become a matter of course, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered embarrassing defeats on no-confidence motions presented by the National Religious, National Union and Shas parties. The Shas motion received 43 votes, versus 34 who supported the government. The other motions won with a smaller number of supporters.
The government is not toppled in motions of this sort unless an absolute Knesset majority, 61 MKs, votes in favor.
In the meanwhile, the political establishment is in suspense, awaiting final word from the United Torah Judaism party on its decision whether or not to join the government. A final decision is expected from Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and other Torah sages by tomorrow - possibly providing a final answer on whether Israel faces a new government or new elections.
The decision may, however, lead only to a split in the UTJ party, with some of the 5 MKs joining the coalition and some remaining in the opposition.
The stakes for United Torah Judaism are high. Joining the coalition and enabling the formation of the government will gain independence for the hareidi school system and hefty financial help - but will also facilitate the disengagement/withdrawal/expulsion plan. Heavy pressures are being exerted in both directions all over the hareidi community.
In other political developments, Shinui Party leader Yosef (Tommy) Lapid announced he was establishing a shadow government to check actions by the Sharon government.
"Sharon and [Labor party leader Shimon] Peres haven't managed to establish a government and continue to make a mockery of themselves by chasing after rabbis," Lapid said. He was referring to attempts to bring the United Torah Judaism party into the proposed coalition with Likud and Labor.
Lapid is currently on opposite sides of the political fence with almost every party in the Knesset. He recently led his party out of its partnership with the Likud, is critical of Labor for joining the government, has a long-standing feud with Meretz/Yachad, and is no friend of the religious parties. His most recent barbs are reserved for Shimon Peres, however, who said this week that he remains head of the opposition as long as Sharon has not formed a coalition. "Shimon Peres is the first one in history who is [sic] the deputy to the prime minister and declares himself to be the head of the opposition, all because of an insatiable appetite for titles and ceremonial roles," Lapid said.
Lapid faces stiff opposition in his bid to become opposition leader, including from a disowned member of his own party. MK Yosef Paritzky said he is leaning towards supporting MK Eli Yishai, head of the hareidi Shas Party, for the post of opposition leader. Paritzky has been ostracized in his party, the extreme anti-religious Shinui, for having been recorded trying to frame his party colleague former Interior Minister Avraham Poraz. The relations between Paritzky and Lapid are particularly acidic.
The government is not toppled in motions of this sort unless an absolute Knesset majority, 61 MKs, votes in favor.
In the meanwhile, the political establishment is in suspense, awaiting final word from the United Torah Judaism party on its decision whether or not to join the government. A final decision is expected from Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and other Torah sages by tomorrow - possibly providing a final answer on whether Israel faces a new government or new elections.
The decision may, however, lead only to a split in the UTJ party, with some of the 5 MKs joining the coalition and some remaining in the opposition.
The stakes for United Torah Judaism are high. Joining the coalition and enabling the formation of the government will gain independence for the hareidi school system and hefty financial help - but will also facilitate the disengagement/withdrawal/expulsion plan. Heavy pressures are being exerted in both directions all over the hareidi community.
In other political developments, Shinui Party leader Yosef (Tommy) Lapid announced he was establishing a shadow government to check actions by the Sharon government.
"Sharon and [Labor party leader Shimon] Peres haven't managed to establish a government and continue to make a mockery of themselves by chasing after rabbis," Lapid said. He was referring to attempts to bring the United Torah Judaism party into the proposed coalition with Likud and Labor.
Lapid is currently on opposite sides of the political fence with almost every party in the Knesset. He recently led his party out of its partnership with the Likud, is critical of Labor for joining the government, has a long-standing feud with Meretz/Yachad, and is no friend of the religious parties. His most recent barbs are reserved for Shimon Peres, however, who said this week that he remains head of the opposition as long as Sharon has not formed a coalition. "Shimon Peres is the first one in history who is [sic] the deputy to the prime minister and declares himself to be the head of the opposition, all because of an insatiable appetite for titles and ceremonial roles," Lapid said.
Lapid faces stiff opposition in his bid to become opposition leader, including from a disowned member of his own party. MK Yosef Paritzky said he is leaning towards supporting MK Eli Yishai, head of the hareidi Shas Party, for the post of opposition leader. Paritzky has been ostracized in his party, the extreme anti-religious Shinui, for having been recorded trying to frame his party colleague former Interior Minister Avraham Poraz. The relations between Paritzky and Lapid are particularly acidic.