Realizing his political appeal has all but waned, Labor Party leader Defense Minister Ehud Barak has done well signing the coalition agreement with Kadima. The deal, containing 38 paragraphs seems to give Barak the best possible deal, redefining his new position as the most senior deputy prime minister, and all but locking out the internal party opposition.

Barak made certain to insert a clause (paragraph 1.3) that those Laborites serving in cabinet posts today would maintain their same positions. This eliminates any possibility of Ophir Pines-Paz and Eitan Cabel from making a comeback. The two, considered senior officials of the next generation Labor, left the cabinet in protest. Pines resigned as a minister following the inclusion of the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu Party in the coalition and Cabel left following the release of the Winograd Commission report on the Second Lebanon War.

Both viewed the current situation as setting the stage for a comeback but Barak excluded them, seeking to protect himself and his supporters by distancing the internal opposition.

Another interesting paragraph is number 10, which makes a provision for Barak should the government fall or Labor find itself in opposition. The clause calls for legislating a law that one who is not a MK may nonetheless hold the position of opposition leader.

Barak is not a MK and Barak is trying to lay the groundwork for a stable political future, even as opposition leader. Livni suggested Barak omit this controversial clause, which is very questionable. It may not pass the Knesset or a challenge to the High Court but it is indeed included in the coalition agreement.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)