Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday continued his efforts to save his coalition, but shifting his focus from Shas to the Labor party. Olmert met with party leader Defense Minister Ehud Barak, explaining that the Kadima leadership forum will convene on 21 July, at which time it will set a date for primaries in September, as well as making amendments to the party’s charter to accommodate the current situation.

Realizing he has hit a dead end with Shas, Olmert now hopes to win over support from Barak, well-aware that without Labor supporting the bill to dissolve the coalition, it will be defeated.

Veteran Labor MK and former minister Ofir Pines told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) on Tuesday evening that this is unacceptable.

Pines explained that Barak made his ultimatum to Kadima almost a month ago, and since that time, Kadima had ample time to make arrangements but in actuality, nothing was done.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)