Two right-wing ministers of the Israeli cabinet say they are resigning in protest against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. It is still unclear what the impact of the resignations of Effi Eitam, head of the National Religious Party, and Isaac Lehov, Deputy Prime Minister, will be. Israeli news sources say the far-right National Religious Party will remain in Sharon's government for at least another three months and will prevent the government from collapsing. Reports indicate that the two ministers were angered by the cabinet's approval on Sunday of the evacuation of residents from Jewish settlements in Gaza by the end of 2005. Ariel Sharon's coalition currently holds 61 seats in the 120-seat parliament. Without the National Religious Party, it would only fill 55 seats, and Sharon would be forced to either seek a new coalition partner or call for early elections.
Two Right-Wing Ministers of the Israeli Cabinet Resign
Two right-wing Israeli ministers resigned in protest against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Gaza withdrawal plan. Their resignations may impact the stability of Sharon's government, which currently holds a slim majority in parliament. This situation raises questions about future coalition dynamics and potential early elections.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Two right-wing Israeli ministers resigned in protest against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. Their resignations may affect the stability of Sharon's government, which holds a slim majority in parliament.
- The National Religious Party will remain in the government for at least three more months.
- Sharon's coalition currently holds 61 seats in the 120-seat parliament.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Gaza Strip has been a focal point of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, with settlements being a contentious issue. Ariel Sharon's withdrawal plan aims to reshape Israeli presence in the region.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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