The Balad Party's Central Committee decided Saturday to reserve every third slot on its party list for a woman.

The committee reached a decision after a stormy meeting in the northern town of Shfaram, where 146 party member voted in favor of the move, against 104 members who opposed the decision.

Balad party sources said that party chairman Azmi Bishara, who is currently overseas, supported the decision, indicating that he is still in control of his party.

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Balad has now become the first Arab political party to reserve a place on its Knesset list for women. According to the decision, each third place on its list of 120 members will be put aside for women.

In the past election, a senior female party member, Khanin Zuani lost to Wasal Taha for the third place on the party's list.

The committee met Saturday even though Bishara is still overseas. In a taped speech which was aired at the committee meeting, Bishara said he supports the move, yet the decision would raise tough questions that needed to be discussed. Bishara also maintained that the allegations against him have only strengthened party support.

The committee also criticized Fatah and Hamas for the factional fighting.