Last update - 00:00 08/05/2007
Barak: Olmert must resign in wake of war probe report
By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Former prime minister Ehud Barak on Monday called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign in the wake of the Winograd Committee's scathing report on the Second Lebanon War, in his first public comments since the report's release.
At a news conference in Sdot Yam, Barak said that "the [former] chief of staff has reached personal conclusions, and the defense minister has reached personal conclusions in his own way. I believe that the prime minister will find the appropriate way to reach personal conclusions, but to date this hasn't happened."
"The Winograd Report is a harsh report, the conclusions of which justify personal conclusions," added Barak.
When asked by reporters if by "personal conclusions" he means the prime minister must resign, Barak answered in the affirmative.
Former chief of staff Dan Halutz resigned in the wake of harsh criticism of his performance during the war, and Defense Minister Amir Peretz has said he intends to give up the defense portfolio and seek the finance portfolio.
Barak is currently a leading candidate for the Labor Party chairmanship, and the primaries are scheduled for March 28.
"If on March 28, I am elected chairman of the Labor Party, and the prime minister has yet to reach personal conclusions, I will act to form a wide consensus in my party and with the faction leaders to determine an appropriate and agreed date for elections," he said.
"Only a leadership that enjoys the deep faith of the public can lead Israel in this current crisis," he added.
However, should Olmert resign, that would "pave the way for Labor to remain in the government," Barak said.
The former prime minister said he would be "willing to contribute, based on my experience, as defense minister" during a potential transition period until the formation of a new government or early elections.
Barak added that, for this purpose, the continued presence of Labor ministers in the government is "very important."
Responding to Barak's comments, former coalition chairman Avigdor Yitzhaki (Kadima) said that if Olmert cares about government stability in Israel, if he cares about the government's ability to govern then he has no choice but to resign.
According to an internal poll conducted Sunday evening by Ehud Barak's headquarters among Labor Central Committee members, most of the central committee members oppose ruling out remaining in a government headed by Olmert, and prefer delaying the decision until after the party primaries. In addition, a majority are opposed to early elections.
The second leading candidate in the Labor primaries, MK Amy Ayalon, reiterated Monday his call for Olmert to resign and said that should he be elected party chairman, Labor would cease its support for Olmert as prime minister and would push for a "national rehabilitation" government.