The Knesset Monday evening affirmed by a large majority the appointment of Ehud Barak, the newly elected Labor party chairman, to the post of Defense Minister in the Olmert government. He is replacing defeated party head Amir Peretz.
46 Knesset Members voted in favor of Barak's appointment, while 22 objected. Immediately following the vote, Barak stepped up to the dais, took the oath of his office and officially joined the cabinet.
Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik wished Barak success in his new position, saying, "I do not know of many people who, like yourself, have dedicated such a large part of their lives to the defense of the state. I am sure that the defense establishment has been given a significant boost today."
Speaker Itzik formally hosted a celebratory toast in honor of the new minister, attended by his predecessor and political rival, Amir Peretz, and other senior officials. During the toast, Prime Minister Olmert called from New York to congratulate Barak on his
During the toast, Prime Minister Olmert called from New York.
appointment. The Prime Minister also spoke with Peretz and thanked him for his service as Defense Minister.
The rapid replacement of Amir Peretz, executed almost immediately upon Barak's success in the Labor party primaries, reportedly left a bad taste in Peretz's mouth. Sources close to Peretz say that he is "boiling mad" over how quickly Barak is moving into his job. "He is starting off in a very bad way, and his behavior is wrong," said one source close to Peretz, adding that Barak was "acting out of vengeful spite" by engineering Peretz's quick firing.
Peretz, who informed Prime Minister Olmert several months ago that he was considering resigning his post, is likely to be transferred to another ministry, most likely as Minister-Without-Portfolio.
46 Knesset Members voted in favor of Barak's appointment, while 22 objected. Immediately following the vote, Barak stepped up to the dais, took the oath of his office and officially joined the cabinet.
Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik wished Barak success in his new position, saying, "I do not know of many people who, like yourself, have dedicated such a large part of their lives to the defense of the state. I am sure that the defense establishment has been given a significant boost today."
Speaker Itzik formally hosted a celebratory toast in honor of the new minister, attended by his predecessor and political rival, Amir Peretz, and other senior officials. During the toast, Prime Minister Olmert called from New York to congratulate Barak on his
During the toast, Prime Minister Olmert called from New York.
appointment. The Prime Minister also spoke with Peretz and thanked him for his service as Defense Minister. The rapid replacement of Amir Peretz, executed almost immediately upon Barak's success in the Labor party primaries, reportedly left a bad taste in Peretz's mouth. Sources close to Peretz say that he is "boiling mad" over how quickly Barak is moving into his job. "He is starting off in a very bad way, and his behavior is wrong," said one source close to Peretz, adding that Barak was "acting out of vengeful spite" by engineering Peretz's quick firing.
Peretz, who informed Prime Minister Olmert several months ago that he was considering resigning his post, is likely to be transferred to another ministry, most likely as Minister-Without-Portfolio.