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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Far-right joins Israel coalition | Far-right joins Israel coalition |
| (3 days later) | |
| The Israeli parliament has voted an ultra-nationalist party into the governing coalition. | The Israeli parliament has voted an ultra-nationalist party into the governing coalition. |
| MPs voted 61-38 to include Yisrael Beitenu, a party led by Avigdor Lieberman, who was sworn in as one of several deputy prime ministers. | MPs voted 61-38 to include Yisrael Beitenu, a party led by Avigdor Lieberman, who was sworn in as one of several deputy prime ministers. |
| Mr Lieberman also becomes the minister in charge of dealing with strategic threats against Israel. | Mr Lieberman also becomes the minister in charge of dealing with strategic threats against Israel. |
| Earlier, in a vote which correspondents described as a formality, the cabinet voted 22-1 in favour of the move. | Earlier, in a vote which correspondents described as a formality, the cabinet voted 22-1 in favour of the move. |
| 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. |
| Boycott call | Boycott call |
| Correspondents say that despite the Labour Party - the second 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, Labour Culture Minister Ophir Pines-Paz, dissented. | One, Labour Culture Minister Ophir Pines-Paz, dissented. |
| He has argued that going into coalition with Yisrael Beitenu was a "violation" of his party's commitment to its electorate, because of some of Mr Lieberman's views. | He has argued that going into coalition with Yisrael Beitenu was a "violation" of his party's commitment to its electorate, because of some of Mr Lieberman's views. |
| 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. |
| Mr Lieberman has also accused some Israeli Arabs of treason for speaking to the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. | Mr Lieberman has also accused some Israeli Arabs of treason for speaking to the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. |
| 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. |