Labor Party leader Ehud Barak on Sunday morning, prior to the weekly cabinet meeting, announced he will remain in the party regardless of the decision this week pertaining to joining the forming coalition or to remain in the opposition.

Barak’s announcement was prompted by some party leaders expressing concerns, questioning his loyalty, stating they are not certain he will remain in Labor if the party’s governing body on Tuesday votes to remain in opposition, rejecting his call to enter the coalition government headed by Binyamin Netanyahu.

Earlier in the day, Amir Peretz, the former leader who was ousted from the defense minister post following his failures in the Second Lebanon War, told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) that it is unacceptable that the party leader convene the party’s governing body, and yet is he not committed to remaining in the party if his position is rejected. Peretz stated this is an affront to democracy and Ehud Barak must adhere to democratic norms as party leader.

Peretz stated one cannot seek to have democratic process uphold his view but when it does not, reject the outcome.

While Barak does enjoy support of some of the party’s most veteran members, such as Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, there is formidable opposition to his repeated calls to join the forming government coalition. Barak nevertheless stated with a modicum of confidence that the forum on Tuesday will vote in favor of his call to enter the government.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)