31.  Netanyahu, facing threats from Orthodox parties who have the power to topple his government, had pledged to back the Orthodox legislation should efforts at compromise fail.

32.  Objecting to parts of an emergency cutback program, two Orthodox Jewish parties did not vote for the plan in parliament, and it was defeated.

33.  Shaul Yahalom, a legislator from the National Religious Party, said the three Orthodox parties would now go ahead and prepare the two bills for passage in parliament.

34.  Speaking in parliament, Sharon denied that he had reached a deal to keep the Orthodox Jewish parties out of the government.

35.  That is a problem for Netanyahu, because the Orthodox parties have threatened to bring down the government unless the bill passes.

36.  The dismissals of ministers and deputy ministers from two Orthodox Jewish parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, were to go into effect early Thursday.

37.  The issue came to the forefront after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was elected last year, because Orthodox parties have the political power to bring down his government.

38.  The Interior Ministry, run by an Orthodox Jewish party, did not have any immediate comment.

39.  The opposition, which also includes orthodox Islamic parties, who have publicly opposed women voting or participating in politics, appears to have overruled its conservative elements.

40.  The Orthodox parties seek stricter religious observance and a reversal of a recent Supreme Court decision that forces the government to recognize Reform and Conservative conversions.