While Labor Party leader Ehud Barak is busying himself with high-level meetings on Capitol Hill, the party’s so-called rebel faction held a secret meeting which in essence was a founding meeting of a new political party, which may become their new political home.

Disenchanted with Barak’s leadership, the ‘rebels’ feel they have no other alternative other than breaking away and launching a new party which will more accurately reflect the old party values as they see it.

The rebels, MKs Amir Peretz, Ofir Pines, Eitan Cabel and Prof. Yuli Tamir appear determined to break away from Labor and launch a new alternative, having reached the conclusion they cannot influence change under the leadership of Barak.

Joining them in the clandestine meeting on Sunday was MK Daniel Ben-Simon, who called on the rebel faction not to break away, at least not now. Ben-Simon has also expressed dissatisfaction with Barak’s leadership, having resigned as party chairman in October, just a few months after entering the post. While hundreds of party supports were present, Ben-Simon’s vote is critical, giving the rebels the required number to break away from Labor and announce the formation of a new party.

The group has also been in contact with Labor & Social Affairs Minister Yitzchak Herzog, seeking to persuade him to resign from the cabinet and head the new splinter party. According to a Ynet report, Herzog has not ruled out such an option.

While the rebel faction seems to be gaining support among party activists, a split does not appear imminent.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)