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Israeli Right Wingers Abandon Olmert

Group withdraws from coalition, condemns peace talks

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 16, 2008 11:16 AM CST
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(Newser) – Ehud Olmert’s coalition government is hanging by a thread today after the defection of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, a hardline right-wing faction staunchly opposed to peace talks with the Palestinians. “Negotiations on the basis of land for peace are a critical mistake and will destroy us,” said a party spokesman. Olmert’s coalition is left with just a seven-vote majority, Reuters reports.

Olmert’s office said peace talks would continue, but the defection is a major blow to the already politically vulnerable PM. Olmert is pushing for a Palestinian state conditioned on Israeli security. Beiteinu prefers a swap of territory and people—namely Israel’s 20% ethnic Arab minority. “Our problem is not with the Palestinians, but with Israeli Arabs,” he said.

Israel's Minister for Strategic Affairs Avigdor Lieberman talks during a news conference announcing his party's resignation from the government, at the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem Wednesday Jan. 16, 2008. Lieberman's hawkish Yisrael Beiteinu pulled out of the coalition government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's coalition Wednesday, weakening him at...
Israel's Minister for Strategic Affairs Avigdor Lieberman talks during a news conference announcing his party's resignation from the government, at the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem Wednesday...   (Associated Press)
Israel's Minister for Strategic Affairs Avigdor Lieberman talks during a news conference announcing his party's resignation from the government, at the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem Wednesday Jan. 16, 2008. The defection of hardliner Lieberman did not deliver a fatal blow to Olmert's government, because it would still command 67...
Israel's Minister for Strategic Affairs Avigdor Lieberman talks during a news conference announcing his party's resignation from the government, at the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem Wednesday...   (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem in this file photo. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, pool)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem in this file photo. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, pool)   (Associated Press)
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Israel • Ehud Olmert • Palestine • Israel and Palestinians • Israeli Arabs • Avigdor Lieberman • right wingers • Yisrael Beitein • peace talks

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