Sharon passes his first test in parliament

Shortly afterwards, two Palestinians, including a local leader of the hardline Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, were killed when an Israeli missile struck their car in a refugee camp near the northern West Bank town of Nablus.

A total of 37 members of the 120-seat chamber voted against the censure motion tabled by the far right-wing National Union, while 22 members voted for the motion. The remaining deputies either abstained or were not present.

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The National Union was a partner in the ruling coalition until earlier this month, when Sharon sacked ministers Avigdor Lieberman and Benny Elon to ensure a majority in cabinet for his "disengagement" plan.