Israel’s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sacked four of the five Shas ministers, and all of the party's deputy ministers, following the ultra-Orthodox party's refusal to support his government's emergency economic plan, Israel public TV reported Monday night.
"Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this evening ordered the immediate dismissal of four Shas ministers... following this evening's Knesset vote against the government's economic program," the prime minister's office said in a statement. It added that dismissal notices had been delivered to the ministers.
One Shas minister - Religious Affairs minister Asher Ohana - who is not a member of the Knesset, handed in his resignation on hearing that his colleagues had been dismissed.
The sackings will come into force in 48 hours - just before midnight Israel time on Wednesday. Shas chairman, Eli Yishai said that, he would rather support the weak members of society than protect his seat in the government. Opposition leader, Yossi Sarid, welcomed the prime minister's move.
The move came after the Israeli government failed Monday night in its attempt to pass its emergency economic plan, as lawmakers voted against the bill at its first Knesset reading, Haaretz reported.
The emergency package was defeated largely due to Shas members, who voted against the cuts despite a threat by Sharon to fire all Shas ministers. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
