They include the Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom, the former prime minister, Simon Peres, and a number of senior business-people.

BBC: World's elite focused on Mid-East

Israeli vice-premier and Likud party member Silvan Shalom told the Jerusalem Post that Diskin should not have spoken in public.

CNN: Former Israeli security chief slams handling of Iran

Among those expected to run against Mr Netanyahu are Shaul Mofaz, the defence minister, and Silvan Shalom, the foreign minister.

ECONOMIST: The ��bulldozer�� sends tremors through Israeli politics

Silvan Shalom, Israeli vice premier and Likud party member, told the Jerusalem Post that Diskin should not have spoken in public.

CNN: Former Israeli PM calls for U.S. to lead any Iran strike

Other members of the cabinet, such as the foreign minister, Silvan Shalom, have their own reasons to oppose taking Labour into their coalition.

ECONOMIST: Israel and Palestine

Israel's minister of finance, Silvan Shalom, a member of Mr Sharon's policymaking inner cabinet, says reassuringly that Mr Arafat's own life is not in danger.

ECONOMIST: Israel and the Palestinians: The consequences of selective killing | The

Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom of Likud -- apparently upset that Netanyahu called for resignations without talking to each of the ministers -- did not immediately resign.

CNN: Sharon undergoes brain scan

Silvan Zurbriggen of Switzerland claimed the bronze medal ahead of teammate Carlo Janka, with reigning Olympic champion Ted Ligety of the United States back in fifth.

CNN: Bode Miller wins first Olympic gold medal

"President Bush would not bother to help if he didn't think it was possible to renew negotiations in this summit, " Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said.

BBC: Bush confirms Mid-East summit

The ministers -- Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Health Minister Danny Naveh, Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz and Education Minister Limor Livnat -- are now expected to deliver their resignations Thursday.

CNN: Likud chief: Time for 4 ministers to quit