Sharon won 58-56, and six abstained. Sharon earlier told the Likud faction he considered the vote as a ballot for confidence in the government. An absolute majority of 61 is needed to defeat the government in a no-confidence vote. Sharon faces a tougher test in the near future when the 2005 budget comes to a vote.
Sharon's victory leaves him weakened. New coalition member Menachem Porush of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party abstained as did Yossi Sarid of the left-wing Meretz/Yachad party. Although the opposition could not win an absolute majority, it forced the Prime Minister to rely on factions outside the coalition to at least win a simple majority.
Except for Sarid, the five other members of his faction as well as two from the Am Ehad (One Nation) labor union party supported the coalition. However, their support is far from certain on the budget because of their stiff opposition to the government's economic program.
Uzi Landau, leader of the Likud "loyalists" opposing Sharon's plan to dismantle 24 Jewish communities in Gaza and northern Samaria, announced earlier in the day that 13 Likud MKs would vote with the opposition against Sharon.
"Whoever wants to bring a tragedy on Israel and split the Likud…can go vote against the coalition," Prime Minister Sharon told the Likud faction Monday afternoon."
Yosef (Tomy) Lapid Shinui is the new opposition leader.
The Knesset approved the appointment of eight new Labor Party ministers, including Shimon Peres who will bear the special title of Vice Premier. Isaac Herzog now heads the Housing and Construction Ministry while Ophir Paz-Pines will be in charge of the Interior Ministry. Benjamin Ben-Eliezer receives the Ministry of Infrastructure, Shalom Simhom is in charge of the Environment Ministry, Dalia Itzik is in charge of the Communications Ministry, and two ministers without portfolio are Matan Vilnai and Haim Ramon.
Sharon's victory leaves him weakened. New coalition member Menachem Porush of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party abstained as did Yossi Sarid of the left-wing Meretz/Yachad party. Although the opposition could not win an absolute majority, it forced the Prime Minister to rely on factions outside the coalition to at least win a simple majority.
Except for Sarid, the five other members of his faction as well as two from the Am Ehad (One Nation) labor union party supported the coalition. However, their support is far from certain on the budget because of their stiff opposition to the government's economic program.
Uzi Landau, leader of the Likud "loyalists" opposing Sharon's plan to dismantle 24 Jewish communities in Gaza and northern Samaria, announced earlier in the day that 13 Likud MKs would vote with the opposition against Sharon.
"Whoever wants to bring a tragedy on Israel and split the Likud…can go vote against the coalition," Prime Minister Sharon told the Likud faction Monday afternoon."
Yosef (Tomy) Lapid Shinui is the new opposition leader.
The Knesset approved the appointment of eight new Labor Party ministers, including Shimon Peres who will bear the special title of Vice Premier. Isaac Herzog now heads the Housing and Construction Ministry while Ophir Paz-Pines will be in charge of the Interior Ministry. Benjamin Ben-Eliezer receives the Ministry of Infrastructure, Shalom Simhom is in charge of the Environment Ministry, Dalia Itzik is in charge of the Communications Ministry, and two ministers without portfolio are Matan Vilnai and Haim Ramon.