Sharon’s government faces collapse

ISRAEL’S march toward what appears to be an inevitable early election picked up speed yesterday after new Labour Party leader Amir Peretz threatened to act quickly to bring down Ariel Sharon’s government.

Mr Peretz’s call for Mr Sharon to meet him immediately to discuss a date for a new national ballot, or face a Labour move in the coming week to end their political alliance, was rejected out of hand by a top aide to the prime minister.

“With all due respect to politics, nothing can be done before Thursday,” said Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon, citing a busy diplomatic schedule for Mr Sharon.