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| Far-right joins Israel coalition | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Israeli cabinet has approved the addition of an ultra-nationalist party into the governing coalition. | The Israeli cabinet has approved the addition of an ultra-nationalist party into the governing coalition. |
| In a vote which correspondents described as a formality, ministers voted 22-1 to include Yisrael Beitenu, led by Avigdor Lieberman. | In a vote which correspondents described as a formality, ministers voted 22-1 to include Yisrael Beitenu, led by Avigdor Lieberman. |
| Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had agreed to bring the party into the government to strengthen its position ahead of a series of crucial votes. | Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had agreed to bring the party into the government to strengthen its position ahead of a series of crucial votes. |
| On Sunday, Labour backed the plan, but it could still cause deep division. | On Sunday, Labour backed the plan, but it could still cause deep division. |
| Correspondents say that despite the Labour Party - the largest party in the governing coalition - voting to support the inclusion of Yisrael Beitenu, the decision could lead to the resignation of some Labour ministers and members of parliament. | Correspondents say that despite the Labour Party - the largest party in the governing coalition - voting to support the inclusion of Yisrael Beitenu, the decision could lead to the resignation of some Labour ministers and members of parliament. |
| One minister, the Labour Party's culture minister Ophir Pines-Paz, dissented. | |
| He has argued that the going into coalition with Yisrael Beitenu would be "violation" of his party's commitment to its electorate because of some of Mr Lieberman's views. | |
| Boycott call | Boycott call |
| Israeli Arabs have also condemned the plan. Yisrael Beitenu advocates the transfer of some Arab towns out of the state of Israel. | Israeli Arabs have also condemned the plan. Yisrael Beitenu advocates the transfer of some Arab towns out of the state of Israel. |
| Its leader, Mr Lieberman, has also accused some Israeli Arabs of treason for speaking to the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. | Its leader, Mr Lieberman, has also accused some Israeli Arabs of treason for speaking to the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. |
| Speaking of the move last week, Azmi Bishara, an Israeli Arab member of the parliament, said: "Israel can't pride itself for being the sole democracy in the Middle East and take in someone so radical [as Mr Lieberman]." | Speaking of the move last week, Azmi Bishara, an Israeli Arab member of the parliament, said: "Israel can't pride itself for being the sole democracy in the Middle East and take in someone so radical [as Mr Lieberman]." |
| "World governments should boycott the Israeli government over Lieberman as well as its policies against the Palestinians." | "World governments should boycott the Israeli government over Lieberman as well as its policies against the Palestinians." |
| For the Israeli government, the inclusion of Yisrael Beitenu in the governing coalition is a significant move to the right less than seven months after the general election seemed to strengthen the centre of Israeli politics. | For the Israeli government, the inclusion of Yisrael Beitenu in the governing coalition is a significant move to the right less than seven months after the general election seemed to strengthen the centre of Israeli politics. |
| Correspondents say that Mr Olmert has decided he needs to broaden his coalition and ensure his political survival in the wake of what is widely seen as a debacle in Lebanon. | Correspondents say that Mr Olmert has decided he needs to broaden his coalition and ensure his political survival in the wake of what is widely seen as a debacle in Lebanon. |