Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could be forced into early elections because of U.S. efforts to prod him toward a peace deal with the Palestinians, according to Israeli political commentators. After the National Unity Party quit the coalition Monday, complaining that Sharon was showing signs of succumbing to U.S. pressure, his coalition still controlled 76 of the Knesset’s 120 seats. But commentators pointed out that the fervently Orthodox Shas Party, which has 17 seats, now has the balance of power, adding that Shas has been an unstable ally in previous governments.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
