Internal opposition within the Labor party to Ehud Barak\'s appointment to the Defense Ministry is growing, particularly in light of Barak\'s post-election announcement that he was resigning from politics. Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami wrote to Barak, \"You have abandoned the position of diplomat and become a politician... Don\'t tell me that it\'s good for the country and bad for you...\" Other Laborites who object to Barak\'s latest zig-zag are Minister Yuli Tamir - who owes her political career to Barak - and Avraham Burg, Chaim Ramon, Yossi Beilin, Salah Tarif, and others; they are planning to present a united front against the appointment at the Labor Central Committee meeting this week. Chief among their demands will be the holding of a secret vote on the question of joining the national-unity government. Barak is hoping to persuade the Central Committee to put off its meeting until next week.
Criticism of Barak today from both party colleagues and media commentators was unprecedented in its vehemence. MK Yossi Sarid of Meretz said that Barak should zig-zag just one more time and return to his previous announcement to retire from politics. Barak\'s loyal colleague Yuval Frankel said, \"To my sorrow, he has turned his back on the people who fought for him and did not give up, and continued campaigning at the intersections even when the polls showed that he was about to lose...\" Barak\'s former press aide Aliza Goren said, \"The truth is, I\'m pretty embarrassed/ashamed. After the crushing defeat, he should have gotten up and left, like he promised.\"
Among the calmer press critiques of him was a Ma\'ariv editorial - “In his latest move, Barak has paid a steep price in terms of credibility and prestige” - and one from Ha\'aretz: “The fickle nature of Barak’s personality, his tendency to make decisions alone or with a small number of close associates who are not participants in politics, and the ease with which he is willing to dismiss ideas for which he was rewarded with broad public support, are troubling and revolting... Barak’s eagerness to remain in government at any price may therefore do away not only with the remnants of his personal integrity, but also do away with the ability of the Labor Party to present an alternative to the policies of the right.”
The National Religious Party is very much against the appointment of Ehud Barak to the Defense Ministry. Party leader Rabbi Yitzchak Levy even said today that the NRP would not join the unity government if Barak is in fact appointed to that post. MK Zevulun Orlev said today, \"If it were up to me, this is most definitely an ultimatum. We are entering this government in order to effect a change. If the nation gave a slap in the face to Barak, and he failed terribly in leading the defense policy during time of war, then how can we take part in a government that leaves him in that position?\"
The Yesha Council\'s position is that it will agree to Barak\'s appointment as Defense Minister only if he agreed to totally backtrack from his policy of \"restraint and absorption.\" Sharon told right-wing leaders last night that he foresees a crisis situation ahead with the Palestinians - possibly even an all-out war. He explained that the appointments of Barak as Defense Minister and Peres as Foreign Minister were designed to help Israel meet these upcoming challenges.
Criticism of Barak today from both party colleagues and media commentators was unprecedented in its vehemence. MK Yossi Sarid of Meretz said that Barak should zig-zag just one more time and return to his previous announcement to retire from politics. Barak\'s loyal colleague Yuval Frankel said, \"To my sorrow, he has turned his back on the people who fought for him and did not give up, and continued campaigning at the intersections even when the polls showed that he was about to lose...\" Barak\'s former press aide Aliza Goren said, \"The truth is, I\'m pretty embarrassed/ashamed. After the crushing defeat, he should have gotten up and left, like he promised.\"
Among the calmer press critiques of him was a Ma\'ariv editorial - “In his latest move, Barak has paid a steep price in terms of credibility and prestige” - and one from Ha\'aretz: “The fickle nature of Barak’s personality, his tendency to make decisions alone or with a small number of close associates who are not participants in politics, and the ease with which he is willing to dismiss ideas for which he was rewarded with broad public support, are troubling and revolting... Barak’s eagerness to remain in government at any price may therefore do away not only with the remnants of his personal integrity, but also do away with the ability of the Labor Party to present an alternative to the policies of the right.”
The National Religious Party is very much against the appointment of Ehud Barak to the Defense Ministry. Party leader Rabbi Yitzchak Levy even said today that the NRP would not join the unity government if Barak is in fact appointed to that post. MK Zevulun Orlev said today, \"If it were up to me, this is most definitely an ultimatum. We are entering this government in order to effect a change. If the nation gave a slap in the face to Barak, and he failed terribly in leading the defense policy during time of war, then how can we take part in a government that leaves him in that position?\"
The Yesha Council\'s position is that it will agree to Barak\'s appointment as Defense Minister only if he agreed to totally backtrack from his policy of \"restraint and absorption.\" Sharon told right-wing leaders last night that he foresees a crisis situation ahead with the Palestinians - possibly even an all-out war. He explained that the appointments of Barak as Defense Minister and Peres as Foreign Minister were designed to help Israel meet these upcoming challenges.