The Likud vote last week against the inclusion of Labor in the coalition government has left not only the Likud in disarray, but Labor as well. Labor MKs appear to be split over the future of the party and what direction it should take. In particular, Shimon Peres' announcement on Thursday that he wishes to run for Prime Minister on the Labor list has angered many party leaders who see themselves as worthy candidates. They say that in proposing his candidacy, he acted contrary to understandings reached last year when he was chosen as Party Chairman. It was understood at the time that his term would last only a year, merely in order to help the party rehabilitate itself following its stunning loss to Likud in 2002.
Five Labor MKs convened today to announce their strong opposition to joining a unity government with the Likud, to prepare for new elections - and to "hint" to Peres to "get out of the way."
The five MKs, including Matan Vilnai and Avraham Shochat, decided that they would work together for new elections both within the party and for the Knesset. Vilnai said, "We [the party] must say clearly that the negotiating team with the Likud will be disbanded and that we're on our way to elections." Two other leading Labor MKs, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and Yuli Tamir, will hold a similar meeting tonight."
The party leader hopefuls are operating with former Prime Minister Ehud Barak in the background. He is reported to be ready to return to politics within two months. Former politician and ex-Police Minister Moshe Shachal (Labor), echoing other contemporary party leaders, said, "Whoever heard of such a thing? A failed Prime Minister is voted out of office because of his failures, goes off to make his fortune for a few years, and then returns to politics once again? No other normal country would tolerate this!"
MK Eitan Cabel, who will take part in today's meeting, said afterwards, "I will not be a partner to a group that says [one thing] while at the same time tours the party chapters around the country in an effort to be chosen as Cabinet ministers. Our decision must be clear: Absolutely no to a unity government.
Five Labor MKs convened today to announce their strong opposition to joining a unity government with the Likud, to prepare for new elections - and to "hint" to Peres to "get out of the way."
The five MKs, including Matan Vilnai and Avraham Shochat, decided that they would work together for new elections both within the party and for the Knesset. Vilnai said, "We [the party] must say clearly that the negotiating team with the Likud will be disbanded and that we're on our way to elections." Two other leading Labor MKs, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and Yuli Tamir, will hold a similar meeting tonight."
The party leader hopefuls are operating with former Prime Minister Ehud Barak in the background. He is reported to be ready to return to politics within two months. Former politician and ex-Police Minister Moshe Shachal (Labor), echoing other contemporary party leaders, said, "Whoever heard of such a thing? A failed Prime Minister is voted out of office because of his failures, goes off to make his fortune for a few years, and then returns to politics once again? No other normal country would tolerate this!"
MK Eitan Cabel, who will take part in today's meeting, said afterwards, "I will not be a partner to a group that says [one thing] while at the same time tours the party chapters around the country in an effort to be chosen as Cabinet ministers. Our decision must be clear: Absolutely no to a unity government.