Special report: Israel's General Election

    JERUSALEM, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert summoned support from leaders of coalition parties on Wednesday as the 2006 state budget undergoes first Knesset (parliament) reading, Israel's local Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported.

    Olmert met with Labor Chairman Amir Peretz, Shas head Eli Yishai and the Gil Pensioners Party Chairman Rafi Eitan at his office ahead of the Knesset's first reading on the budget.

    Olmert made it clear to his coalition partners that the approval of the budget was imperative to the government's functioning and each party leader would be responsible for the votes by his own faction lawmakers.

    "Cooperation between the parties is vital for the coalition's stability," said Olmert, who formed the coalition on May 4.

    Israeli cabinet approved the draft 2006 state budget unanimously at its first meeting on May 7.

    The bill, which totals 284.2 billion shekels (63.2 billion U.S.dollars), must have the second and third Knesset readings before it takes effect.

    Although Olmert's coalition of 67 Knesset members should have given the government enough votes to pass the budget, several Knesset members from Labor and the Gil Pensioners Party have threatened to either oppose it or abstain, unless socioeconomic-related changes are made in it.

    Due to these threats, the first reading of the budget was postponed from Monday to Wednesday.

    By Israeli law, the state budget must be passed within 45 days after the new government's inauguration.

    If a final budget fails to be passed, the Knesset will automatically be dissolved and new elections called. Enditem