Sharon survives another no-trust vote

The Israeli Army confirmed it had attacked the car. Khalil Marshoud and another member of his group were killed, when a missile ripped through the roof of their car, Palestinian security officials said. Sharon passed his first parliamentary test since his cabinet on June 6 approved his plan in principle to evacuate Jewish settlers from Gaza, a decision that triggered far-right defections that stripped his ruling coalition of its majority.

In a sign, Sharon wants to couple a Gaza withdrawal with a tighter grip on West Bank settlement blocks, Israel began issuing orders to confiscate large tracts of Palestinian land for a controversial new segment of a giant barrier, it is building. Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie condemned the seizures for the barrier. The Army said it was easing some restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement in the West Bank — something the US, Israel’s main ally, has long demanded.

Sharon, whose coalition now controls just 59 seats in the 120-member legislature, kept his government afloat on Monday, helped by a safety net from the Opposition Labour Party.

He easily won all three no-confidence motions presented in Parliament, including one by a far-right party against his plan to ‘‘disengage’’ from the Palestinians, which drew only 22 votes in favour in the 120-seat Parliament.

But about 10 members of Sharon’s Likud Party, including Cabinet Minister Uzi Landau, angered Sharon by staying away.

Meanwhile, Israel’s attorney-general plans to issue a decision on Tuesday on whether to indict Sharon in a bribery scandal.

The Haaretz, citing Justice Ministry Sources, said Menachem Mazuz’s ruling would be released at 5 pm (1400 GMT).

Earlier reports had said Mazuz had decided not to indict Sharon, who has denied any wrongdoing.