Sharon Faces No-Confidence Test in Israel Assembly

Summary and 15 news links on today's news from Israel.

Summary:
Mr Netanyahu has previously said he will challenge the prime minister for the leadership of the Likud Party, and it is not yet known if Mr Sharon accepted his rival's conditions during talks on Sunday. Israel's former army chief, General Shaul Mofaz, has accepted the post of defence minister, the prime minister's office has officially announced. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon courted coalition partners who could swing his government far to the right on Sunday and awaited political rival Benjamin Netanyahu's reply to his offer to be foreign minister. Sharon is expected to weather the vote after securing the support of an ultra - nationalist opposition party to bolster his minority government's 55 seats in the 120 - member assembly.

Source Articles:
Profile: Binyamin Netanyahu (BBC News 11/03/2002)
Israeli hardliner takes defence job (BBC News 11/02/2002)
Netanyahu 'accepts' Sharon offer (BBC News 11/03/2002)
Sharon woos rival for cabinet post (BBC News 11/01/2002)
Sharon Pursues Partners, Awaits Netanyahu Reply (Reuters 11/03/2002)
Netanyahu Says Accepts FM Post if Elections Held (Reuters 11/03/2002)
Sharon Faces No-Confidence Test in Israel Assembly (Reuters 11/03/2002)
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sought to keep his imperiled government af... (FOX News 11/03/2002)
Netanyahu Says Will Take FM Post if Elections Held (Reuters 11/03/2002)
Israel, U.S. Vow No Change In Policy (CBS News 11/02/2002)
Gaza Explosion Kills Three (CBS News 11/01/2002)
Israel's former army chief of staff accepted the job of defense minist... (FOX News 11/02/2002)
Former Israeli army chief Shaul Mofaz, known for harsh tactics against... (NY Post 11/03/2002)
Profile: Israeli defence chief Shaul Mofaz (BBC News 11/03/2002)
West Bank Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat warned Thursday against any... (FOX News 11/01/2002)