Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sits in the Knesset, or parliament,
before the opening of the winter session October 15, 2001. A vehemently
anti-Arab, far-right bloc resigned on Monday from Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon's broad coalition, saying it opposed lifting
sanctions against the Palestinians, Israel Radio reported. The
resignation of the seven-seat National Union and Yisrael Beitenu bloc,
effective in 48 hours, turns Sharon's government into a mostly centrist
coalition with 76 seats in the 120-member Knesset. REUTERS/Natalie
Behring

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