Israel Labour Party votes to join Sharon

Israel’s Labour Party voted today to join Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s ruling coalition, a move that makes it easier for the Israeli leader to implement his Gaza withdrawal plan.

Yoram Dori, an adviser to Labour leader Shimon Peres, said in Jerusalem that coalition talks would begin later today.

Sharon needs to forge an alliance with Labour to push through his plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip next year and to prevent an early election.

Sharon’s hardline Likud Party voted on Thursday to open coalition talks with Labour.

“The Labour Central Committee authorised Shimon Peres to hold talks for a broad coalition. Negotiations with Likud will begin tonight,” Dori said.