Sharon must pass a budget by March 31 or his government will collapse, possibly taking the withdrawal down with it, because a new election would have to be called.
The ultra-Orthodox Shas party said Wednesday it would not support Sharon's budget, which would deprive Sharon of a majority for the spending plan.
Shas has made similar declarations in the past, and the party might be trying to improve its negotiating position in budget talks.
The Cabinet on Sunday will hold a procedural vote on the plan and will later have separate votes on each of the withdrawal's four phases.



