The landslide victor said last night that he still hopes to form a national-unity government, despite the vacuum created in Labor by Barak’s announced resignation. Some Laborites, such as Chaim Ramon, feel that Shimon Peres should lead the party for the next interim period, while others feel that he is largely to blame for the election loss and does not deserve to lead the party. Avraham Burg, a top contender for the party’s top spot, has only praise for Peres, but would rather relegate him to the \"presidency\" of the party while choosing someone else - preferably himself - to be Labor Chairman. Ramon, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, and Shlomo Ben-Ami are also considered candidates to lead the party.
A Labor party committee to negotiate the terms of a unity government with the Likud has been appointed by Secretary-General Ra’anan Cohen. The team includes Ministers Ben-Eliezer, Itzik, and Ramon, and MKs Ophir Pines and Avi Yechezkel. Labor MKs Burg, Beilin, and Bar’am will gather their respective supporters over the next few days to decide whether to make a bid for the party leadership.
Burg said he would not resign his position as Knesset Speaker. “The position to which I was elected is not dependent on the Prime Ministerial elections or on the government. I was elected to four years, and until such time as this Basic Law is changed, there is no reason for me to quit.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who did not expect his loss to be as large as it was, announced last night that was taking a time-out from political life. In a move reminiscent of that taken by Binyamin Netanyahu after his defeat by Barak two years ago, Barak announced that he would resign from the Knesset and from the leadership of the Labor Party after the formation of the next government:
\"The electorate has spoken, and I respect the democratic decision that has been made... I thank all those who voted for me, and it gives me strength to continue for the future... I just a short time ago called Knesset Member Ariel Sharon and congratulated him... No, no boos - we don\'t have to have unity, but we also don\'t need boos... We have lost a battle, but we will win the war.\" He was greeted very enthusiastically by the crowd at Labor campaign headquarters. One sign said, \"250 Days After the Withdrawal From Lebanon - Thank You!\"
With his wife by his side, the outgoing Prime Minister said,
\"The results of the election do not shake our faith in our way. Our way is the only true way. It is the only way to lead to peace, and to permanent separation from our Palestinian neighbors. Only a border between us will lead to peace... and to economic growth... and to the Jewish way of being a light unto the nations... This way requires a heart-rending sacrifice, and it could be that the nation is not yet ready for it... On the other side, too, the required readiness has not yet been ready... In a certain sense, we are ahead of our time, but it will come - I have no doubt. The truth will win, both on our side and on theirs, because there is no other way... I take full responsibility for our way, and I am proud of it, and I also take responsibility for this election campaign... I know that the country wants unity - but unity is not a substitute for a policy.\" Barak added, however, that if a unity government based on common goals can be reached, then he would agree to it.
A Labor party committee to negotiate the terms of a unity government with the Likud has been appointed by Secretary-General Ra’anan Cohen. The team includes Ministers Ben-Eliezer, Itzik, and Ramon, and MKs Ophir Pines and Avi Yechezkel. Labor MKs Burg, Beilin, and Bar’am will gather their respective supporters over the next few days to decide whether to make a bid for the party leadership.
Burg said he would not resign his position as Knesset Speaker. “The position to which I was elected is not dependent on the Prime Ministerial elections or on the government. I was elected to four years, and until such time as this Basic Law is changed, there is no reason for me to quit.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who did not expect his loss to be as large as it was, announced last night that was taking a time-out from political life. In a move reminiscent of that taken by Binyamin Netanyahu after his defeat by Barak two years ago, Barak announced that he would resign from the Knesset and from the leadership of the Labor Party after the formation of the next government:
\"The electorate has spoken, and I respect the democratic decision that has been made... I thank all those who voted for me, and it gives me strength to continue for the future... I just a short time ago called Knesset Member Ariel Sharon and congratulated him... No, no boos - we don\'t have to have unity, but we also don\'t need boos... We have lost a battle, but we will win the war.\" He was greeted very enthusiastically by the crowd at Labor campaign headquarters. One sign said, \"250 Days After the Withdrawal From Lebanon - Thank You!\"
With his wife by his side, the outgoing Prime Minister said,
\"The results of the election do not shake our faith in our way. Our way is the only true way. It is the only way to lead to peace, and to permanent separation from our Palestinian neighbors. Only a border between us will lead to peace... and to economic growth... and to the Jewish way of being a light unto the nations... This way requires a heart-rending sacrifice, and it could be that the nation is not yet ready for it... On the other side, too, the required readiness has not yet been ready... In a certain sense, we are ahead of our time, but it will come - I have no doubt. The truth will win, both on our side and on theirs, because there is no other way... I take full responsibility for our way, and I am proud of it, and I also take responsibility for this election campaign... I know that the country wants unity - but unity is not a substitute for a policy.\" Barak added, however, that if a unity government based on common goals can be reached, then he would agree to it.