Yisrael Beitanu party chief Avigdor Lieberman left Prime Minister Olmert's government coalition Wednesday. The move comes in response to continued talks with the Palestinian Authority. The largely immigrant-based Yisrael Beitenu party opposes negotiating with the PA until all Palestinian terrorism stops. It also strongly believes land for peace deals with the PA should be avoided. "'I spoke with the Prime Minister a few moments ago, and also conveyed to him in writing of my resignation, where I also announced my retiring from the coalition. It is important for me to note that all the negotiations based on land for peace is a fatal mistake, and is an incomprehensible mistake as far as I see it. It's not land that provides an obstacle to peace, it's not the settlements, and not the outposts."' Lieberman's departure leaves Olmert with a shaky majority in the Knesset. Any additional departures would cause his ruling coalition to collapse. Word that Shas would leave the government if the status of Jerusalem became a part of negotiations left Olmert to explore an alliance with both the Meretz and United Torah Judaism parties. Bringing either into a coalition would allow Olmert to maintain power. 01/16/08
