6:25AM IL: (UPDATE BELOW) The Knesset today, Wednesday, is scheduled to vote on the bill put forward by Likud MK Silvan Shalom, a former foreign minister, seeking a majority to dissolve the current coalition government.

Barring any last minute changes, the vote is expected to pass, enjoying the support of the Labor and Shas parties, along with most of the opposition. It remains a mystery if the Arab parties will support it, not due to any loyalty to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, but rather their awareness that all polls show the most likely candidate for prime minister is Binyamin Netanyahu. The Arab parties prefer to endure the like of Olmert rather than face another right-wing government headed by the Likud leader.

There are many scenarios which will have a direct impact on the process. If the prime minister resigns, if Labor is willing to provide a safety net for the coalition following the vote, permitting Kadima to move to primaries, and so-forth.

What is certain is that no matter what develops, the current coalition headed by Prime Minister Olmert will not complete its term.

UPDATE 6:37AM IL: Click HERE for a update.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)