1.   The Constitutional Amendment bill fell through because Congress members abstained in the vote.

2.   Five members abstained from voting, including permanent members Russia, France and China who have signed contracts to develop Iraqi oil fields once sanctions are lifted.

3.   Five leading cabinet members abstained, including Finance Minister Avraham Shochat, marking the first time that an Israeli central bank governor had been selected without finance ministry support.

4.   Five members abstained from voting, including permanent members Russia, France and China, who have signed contracts to develop Iraqi oil fields once sanctions are lifted.

5.   In the second round, many opposition-party members abstained from the vote.

6.   It is an odd obstacle for the scion of a sect that mandates that members abstain from the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.

7.   One council member abstained.

8.   On Tuesday night, when the Palestinians demanded a vote and the United States cast a veto, the four European members abstained.

9.   One member abstained.

10.   One member abstained and the others voted to reject clemency.