Free Republic

Mar. 10, 2003 Ultra-Orthodox factions fail to win opposition support, call off no-confidence vote By NINA GILBERT The ultra-Orthodox factions failed to rally the Knesset opposition to back the first no confidence motion against the Sharon government on Monday, causing them to withdraw the measure just before the planned vote. United Torah Judaism MK Ya'acov Litzman was named as an alternative prime minister in the motion, as required by the new method of "constructive no confidence." But as more than 100 MKs were ready to vote at the conclusion of a three-hour debate, Litzman suddenly withdrew his candidacy. Knesset Speaker...

Soldiers' vote gives another MK to Likud, NRP; One Nation, Hadash lose seat By Haaretz Service Ariel Sharon's Likud and the National Religious Party will each gain an additional seat in the entering Knesset, according to Likud and Shas representatives on the Central Elections Commiittee citing unofficial results of the counting of ballots cast by Israel Defense Forces soldiers and reservists. While the right-wing gained as a result of the soldier's vote in the election for the 16th Knesset, Amir Peretz's One Nation and the Hadash Party each lost a seat. Counting of the soldiers' votes was completed Thursday evening,...