Labor MK Shelly Yechimovich announced her support for former Prime Minister Ehud Barak in the Labor party primaries on Sunday night. Yechimovich supported current party leader Amir Peretz in the first round of voting, but decided to vote for Barak in the second round despite Peretz’s support for MK Ami Ayalon.

Yechimovich sent a letter to Labor members criticizing Ayalon for a lack of political experience. Among other things, Yechimovich said that Barak had been “burnt” by the political system, which she deemed a necessary experience. However, she criticized Barak as well, saying that her choice to support him “was not made happily.” “I am aware of his mistakes, and disapprove of his ostentatious lifestyle and everything it represents,” she said.