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Last update - 05:39 24/06/2008 Labor Party to support disbanding the Knesset By Mazal Mualem Tags: corruption probe, labor party  The government coalition is expected to collapse Wednesday if the Labor Party votes to disband the Knesset, as it announced Monday. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed to fire Labor ministers immediately after the vote, ending the ruling partnership between Kadima and Labor. Olmert's associates slammed Labor leader and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. "Barak is sabotaging moves of national importance because of his own political interests," one associate said. "Everything is tricks with him. He's creating an opposition within the coalition." Advertisement The associate said that in these circumstances Olmert prefers elections over "national paralysis. We don't need such a partner." Barak's associates dismissed these charges and said Olmert had been a full partner in formulating the truce deal. One of Barak's aides said the cease-fire had been reached at the recommendation of the most senior defense officials, to restore peace to the southern communities and as the only way to bring back the abducted soldier Gilad Shalit. The MKs who object to dissolving the Knesset, headed by ministers Yuli Tamir and Raleb Majadele, on Monday clashed with Barak, who led the move. Barak called to disband the Knesset on Sunday, despite Olmert's threat to dismiss Labor ministers who vote in favor. Tamir, Majadele and MKs Amir Peretz, Yoram Marciano and Nadia Hilo did not take part in the faction vote, claiming that it was not legal, as the party's central committee had to be convened to authorize the move. The five threaten to vote against disbanding the Knesset and ignore party discipline. However, if Shas votes for the bill to disperse the Knesset, it will pass with an easy majority. Last month Barak called on Olmert to resign in light of the corruption probe against him, giving him until June 25 to step aside, or face the dissolution of the Knesset. Olmert remained uncompromising. At a meeting with Kadima political activists, the prime minister blasted Barak and threatened to fire Labor ministers who voted to dissolve the Knesset. "There's something clearly immoral about a cabinet member acting to topple the government and wanting to stay in it as well," he said. "I won't accept a situation in which Labor ministers are trying to topple the government yet staying in it. Whoever wants to break up the government will not remain a cabinet minister... that goes for Barak who is not an MK," Olmert said. He also lashed out against senior Kadima figures who forced him to decide on primaries in the party ahead of schedule. "I will do everything I can to unite Kadima. I have no rivals and no wars in the party," Olmert said. Many, however, accused Olmert of a willingness to sacrifice the good of the country for the sake of his personal interests. Related articles: IDF: Israel may declare two soldiers captured by Hezbollah killed in action Police off to U.S. to quiz Olmert's son, others in corruption probe Olmert: I'll fire Labor ministers who try to topple government Bookmark to del.icio.us   Gilad's tale VIDEO: U.S. kids read abducted soldier's story of co-existence. Leaving Torah behind Study finds religion is not very important to American Jews.   1.   Olmert Needs to Be Forced Out NOW 07:34  |  Kipperraes 24/06/08   2.   Good for you Barack be Strong dont Give in! 08:22  |  Dolly 24/06/08   3.   Olmert`s `moves of `NATIONAL IMPORTANCE` 08:42  |  Dagma 24/06/08   4.   Hello Mr. Olmert Trying to show some FORTITUDE 09:05  |  Pathfinder 24/06/08   5.   Olmert speaks of immorality?!? 09:23  |  S 24/06/08   6.   Disband Labor Party 13:15  |  Baruch Gold 24/06/08   7.   Bringing down this horrid coalition would be the best thing Barak 05:21  |  Chaim 25/06/08   8.   WHEN WILL THIS BE?WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER?IT`S TIME TO STOP THE.. 07:57  |  glenna 25/06/08

Read & React Cabinet to vote Sun. on Hezbollah deal, says wife of abducted soldier Responses: 274 Editorial: We must pay the high price for the return of Gilad Shalit Responses: 107 Gaza truce shaken as four Qassams slam in Negev Responses: 248 Poll: 77% of Israeli Arabs would rather live in Israel than in any other country Responses: 234 Border Policeman dies from self-inflicted shot at Sarkozy farewell Responses: 158 Rosner's Domain Guest: Not going to war in Gaza - erroneous choice Religion is not very important to American Jews Al Hura not working? Tell me something I don't know (WTR) Poll: exchange deal with Hezbollah, good or bad? Why do non-Jewish Americans support Israel? More Headlines 08:18 PM, Barak strike deal putting off Knesset vote for dissolution 08:26 Barak orders Gaza crossings sealed in response to Qassams 08:34 Olmert wavering ahead of Sunday's cabinet vote on prisoner swap 08:38 ANALYSIS / Olmert, Barak fire at each other, then cry on other's shoulder 08:42 Negotiator heading back to Cairo for indirect talks on Shalit 08:46 Attempted coup splits Hamas military wing in two 05:54 Who will defend ultra-Orthodox women's labor rights? 09:11 Baby switch cost Jerusalem hospital NIS 2 million 08:10 Border cop dies from self-inflicted shot at Sarkozy farewell 22:52 VIDEO: Two years after his kidnap, U.S. kids read Gilad Shalit's tale of co-existence 01:38 Professor Gabriela Shalev nominated as new UN ambassador Previous Editions Select Day 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun

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