Sharon faces two no-confidence motions

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has alienated his right-wing Likud party with plans to withdraw from Gaza, begins a new legislative session yesterday fighting for his government's survival.

Lawmakers were scheduled to vote on two motions of no confidence yesterday, the first day of Israel's winter parliamentary session. Sharon was expected to survive the votes with help from the moderate Labor Party, which is not in the coalition but supports the Gaza disengagement plan.

But Labor said it would not necessarily support Sharon on other fronts, such as domestic policy.

"There is no longer an automatic safety net," Labor legislator Dalia Itzik told Israel's Channel Two TV.

Meanwhile, Israel pressed ahead with its offensive in northern Gaza. On Sunday, Israeli airstrikes killed two Palestinian militants.

The Gaza withdrawal was expected to be the cornerstone of Sharon's speech to parliament, the traditional address by the prime minister to open the session.

Facing protests from the opposition and members of his own party, some lawmakers said it was unlikely Sharon's government would complete its term, due to expire in November 2006.

"I don't see this government running the distance," Parliament speaker Ruby Rivlin told Israel's Army Radio on Sunday.

Opposition to the pullout is strong among Sharon's traditional supporters, including Rivlin, and his Likud party has voted twice against the evacuation.

The deep disagreements are expected to spill over onto the parliament floor, beyond usual bouts of heckling and name-calling.

"The dispute could, God forbid, come to fistfights between members, each one with deep feelings of absolute justification," Rivlin said.