(Ha'aretz) - Israel's national unity government headed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon fell Wednesday when the Labor party voted against the state budget and its ministers, including Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, submitted letters of resignation. Despite Labor's resignation, the budget passed the Knesset by a vote of 67-45, demonstrating Sharon's ability to form an alternative government. Former army chief of staff Shaul Mofaz is Sharon's preferred candidate for the defense portfolio.
2002-10-31 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive