A right-wing party quit Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government on Wednesday, condemning his peace talks with the Palestinians and leaving him even more politically vulnerable.
Olmert, who could face new calls to resign later this month when an inquiry into the 2006 Lebanon war issues a final report, had his support in the 120-member parliament cut from 78 seats to 67 after Yisrael Beiteinu's defection. But he said the loss of the coalition partner would not deter him from continuing to pursue a peace agreement with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
A statement issued by Olmert's office said he believed the negotiations held "the only real chance of ensuring the peace and security of Israeli citizens". Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman made good on his threat to pull Yisrael Beiteinu out of the coalition once talks with the Palestinians moved to "core issues" including borders and the fate of Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees.
"A few minutes ago, I spoke to the prime minister and I also gave him a written announcement of our departure from the coalition and my resignation from the government," said Lieberman, whose party appeals to Russian-speaking immigrants.
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