Amid higher popularity than he has known in many months, following Operation Pillar of Defense, Defense Minister Ehud Barak in a nationally aired media statement at 11:00am announced he will not be seeking a place in Knesset or the cabinet in the next government.
Barak cited that he enlisted into the IDF 53 years ago, and has since been serving the State of Israel. However, he explains he has come to the decision that he will not run for a spot in the next Knesset and his position as defense minister will end with the appointment of a new defense minister in the next Knesset following elections on 11 Shevat 5773.
When asked about “a return to politics” or a “accepting a special appointment following elections” along with other questions posed by reporters following his statement, Barak stated he will be pleased to respond to many other questions following the general election but for today “I have announced that which I wish to announce”.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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6 Responses
I have a bridge to sell you! Ehud, Bibi, Peres, etc… will be in politics untill their dying day. These people never retire. Its always the same regurgitated Government!
Mazel tov but a few years to late
1. There is no requirement that a cabinet member be a member of the Kenesset.
2. He can take a private sector job and get rich, or he can retire (he is 70 years old).
3. If the next government makes a fool of itself (conscription of hareidim, the Iranians and the world economy will offer many opportunities for that), he’s free to leave retirement and become the savior of the nation.
Can I be cynical?
Can it be that he initiated the Gaza operation now just before elections?
The uptick in popularity because of the operation allowed this unelectable politician to exit with some measure of pride.
What do you think?
Good bye and good luck.
Go back to the legal arena, SHALOM al YISROEL.
All Israeli politicians are horrible.
All.