While the negotiations for the national unity government seem to be progressing, individual objections have been heard from various quarters. Some in the Likud object to the naming of Ehud Barak as Defense Minister, while others cannot tolerate a possible appointment of Shimon Peres as Foreign Minister. Former Likud Prime Minister Yitzchak Shamir told the Jewish Press that he regrets that the Likud leaders are willing to \"give away everything\" in exchange for a national-unity government. \"It\'s one thing to have Ehud Barak in Defense,\" Shamir said, \"but Peres must under no circumstances be allowed to be Foreign Minister.\"
On the other hand, Likud MK Chaim Katz said today that Barak\'s smashing electoral defeat last week shows that the people want him out of office. He added that based on Barak\'s history of zig-zagging, he is unworthy to serve in a senior government position.
Labor MKs Uzi Bar\'am and Eli Goldshmidt submitted their resignations today to Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg. They will be replaced by Moti Mish\'ani - a member of David Levy\'s Gesher faction with right-wing tendencies - and former MK Effie Oshaya. In other personnel changes in the Knesset, Shas MK David Tal resigned from his position as Labor and Welfare Committee Chairman. He hopes to be named head of the Knesset Law Committee - a position to which MK Benny Elon has his eyes turned.
On the other hand, Likud MK Chaim Katz said today that Barak\'s smashing electoral defeat last week shows that the people want him out of office. He added that based on Barak\'s history of zig-zagging, he is unworthy to serve in a senior government position.
Labor MKs Uzi Bar\'am and Eli Goldshmidt submitted their resignations today to Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg. They will be replaced by Moti Mish\'ani - a member of David Levy\'s Gesher faction with right-wing tendencies - and former MK Effie Oshaya. In other personnel changes in the Knesset, Shas MK David Tal resigned from his position as Labor and Welfare Committee Chairman. He hopes to be named head of the Knesset Law Committee - a position to which MK Benny Elon has his eyes turned.