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by Christian / Base21 Media Activists
dvs-b@t-online.de

Zionist Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Thursday presented his new coalition government, considered one of the most right-wing in Israel's history, to the Zionist parliament, the Knesset.

The government, which enjoys an 8-seat parliamentary majority in the 120-seat Knesset, is made up of the Likud party headed Sharon, and three other right wing parties, including the pro-settler National Religious Party, the far-right National Union, and the staunchly secular Shinui party.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu will assume the Finance portfolio in the new government while Silvan Shalom, a Sharon's ally will be Israel's new foreign minister.

The current defense minister Shaul Mofaz, whom many human rights groups consider a war criminal for his role in the Jenin carnage last year, will remain in his post.

Palestinian officials have described the new Israeli government as "government of extremism and violence".

PA official Saeb Ureikat was quoted by the Voice of Palestine Thursday as saying that it would be extremely difficult to expect the new government to work for peace.

Sharon scored a landslide victory in the Israeli general election which took place on 28 January, with his Likud party wining as 40 knesset seats.

Many Observers viewed the results of the election as an added proof that the Zionist society was drifting stridently to the right.