Israel’s Ariel Sharon dealt a blow

JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a humiliating parliamentary rebuke by rebellious members of his own party on Monday, reflecting fallout over Israel’s Gaza pullout that could lead to early elections.

In a test of strength, parliament first rejected three cabinet appointments presented in an “all or nothing” package but then approved Ehud Olmert as finance minister when Sharon re-submitted his deputy’s nomination for a separate vote. Hardliners in Sharon’s rightist Likud bent on punishing him for evacuating Gaza settlements engineered the embarrassing blow to the prime minister.Taking the Knesset podium, he vowed to his opponents: “There will be consequences.”The votes, which capped a stormy session after a week of negotiations failed to reach a compromise, underscored divisions in Sharon’s party that threaten his ability to govern for the remainder of his term which is due to end in November 2006.- Nampa-ReutersHardliners in Sharon’s rightist Likud bent on punishing him for evacuating Gaza settlements engineered the embarrassing blow to the prime minister.Taking the Knesset podium, he vowed to his opponents: “There will be consequences.”The votes, which capped a stormy session after a week of negotiations failed to reach a compromise, underscored divisions in Sharon’s party that threaten his ability to govern for the remainder of his term which is due to end in November 2006.- Nampa-Reuters