A majority of Israeli MPs have voted in favour of a no-confidence motion in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government.
The vote for the motion was 53-45. It was the third week in a row that Mr Sharon's coalition was unable to muster a simple majority to vote down such motions.
Although embarrassing, Mr Sharon's centre-right team survived because an absolute majority of 61 out of the 120 votes in parliament is required to bring down a government.
Addressing parliament, Mr Sharon called on his coalition partners - and the opposition - to support his policies.
The opposition Labour Party has promised it would back Mr Sharon if he carries out his plan to remove Jewish settlements, but that would not necessarily prevent a toppling of the government if hardline coalition parties pull out, leaving him vulnerable on other issues.
