The Israeli government is facing a crisis, following Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's decision to expel four Shas party ministers. The members of the ultra-Orthodox party, which forms a part of the national unity government, were sent dismissal letters after the defeat of Sharon's emergency economic package.
The package, aimed at curtailing a budget deficit caused in part by massive defence spending, was defeated by 47 votes to 44 yesterday. The loss of the Shas party's 17 votes in the 120-member parliament would reduce the Prime Minister's support from 82 to 65 members for his coalition government.
A threat to Sharon's political survival could mean a further obstacle to international calls for peace talks and reforms of the Palestinian Authority.
But there is a window of opportunity, as the letters of dismissal do not take effect until Wednesday, 48 hours after they were issued. Shas Party leader Eli Yishai has appeared to leave the door open to reconciliation.
On Israeli Army radio, he said that he did not think the time was right for elections, adding that he hoped to open talks to renegotiate the emergency budget package before the dismissal notices took effect.
