Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., February 12, 2009 Shvat 18, 5769 | | Israel Time: 03:55 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 00:02 06/02/2009
Elections 2009 / Labor officials urge Barak to rule out partnership with Lieberman
By Roni Singer-Heruti, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel news, Israel elections 

Senior Labor Party officials on Thursday sent a letter to party head Ehud Barak insisting that he unequivocally rule out joining a coalition that includes right-wing party Yisrael Beiteinu and its leader Avigdor Lieberman.



The letter was signed by Education Minister Yuli Tamir, along with Kibbutz Movement Secretary-General Ze'ev Shor and well-known Labor activists Luba Eliav and Professor Danny Gotwin.
Advertisement
"If you do not make a very clear and sharp statement that the Labor Party will not sit in any government with Lieberman, our ability as a party to make a moral statement and to fight for our way and our voters will be dealt a fatal blow," the letter read.

These statements come after other Labor MKs, including Shelly Yachimovich and Ophir Pines-Paz and Ministers Shalom Simhon and Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, put pressure on Barak to rule out a Labor-Yisrael Beiteinu partnership.

Barak has not specifically ruled out teaming up with Yisrael Beiteinu, and has only said, "Lieberman is not my cup of tea but we will not sit in any government whose guidelines are not compatible with our positions."

Barak said it would not be right for him to discuss possible coalitions at this time. "Any further reference to Lieberman would only boost him more. Say I form a government with all our friends and he wants to join on the basis of our principles - why not?" Barak said.

Yachimovich, one of Barak's staunch supporters, blasted him for this remark.

"I expect Barak to muster the political and moral strength required to state clearly that we will not be partners with Lieberman. Failing to do so turns Labor into a wanton slut up for grabs," she said.

"Ruling out a partnership with Netanyahu is not wise, because it implies support for Livni, while there is no reason to give it to her. But Lieberman is a dark, dangerous phenomenon. This is a person who brings out the darkest urges of part of the Israeli public. His slogan endangers democracy, and he is the moral red line which we must not cross. He is Kahane to all intents and purposes," she said.
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
How Israel voted
See Israel election results by city/sector.
Israeli cover girls
Israeli model Bar Refaeli lands Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover.
  1.   Oye vey on us... 22:48  |  Esther 05/02/09
  2.   disappointed 19:18  |  Naomi 10/02/09
  3.   you can forget about barak ruling out partnership with anyone;he 03:22  |  glenna 12/02/09
 Haaretz Hot Topics
Israel 2009 election results
Israel goes to the polls
Conflict in Gaza
Israel vs. Hamas
Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
More Headlines
03:49 Livni: I'll fight on despite poor odds
03:30 IAF warplanes strike Hamas post in southern Gaza Strip
00:19 White House: Unclear how Israel elections will affect Mideast peace
00:47 OPINION / In the election, the left got what it deserved
00:08 Wooed by Kadima and Likud, Lieberman agrees to more talks with Livni
00:53 Pro-Palestinian Bronx Expressway banner - a Jewish initiative
20:08 Europeans fearful over rise of right wing in Israeli elections
16:39 ISRAEL ELECTION IN PICTURES / After the vote
13:58 ANALYSIS / Israel's new PM must stop the economic crisis before it burgeons
02:47 Satire exit poll wins TV ratings on Israel's election night
03:48 Yet-uncounted soldiers' votes expected to create Kadima-Likud tie
21:07 HOW THEY VOTED: See Israel election results by city/sector
01:48 Woman bleeds to death in Haifa hospital, a day after giving birth
18:17 Iran charges 7 members of Baha'i faith with spying for Israel
19:59 Hamas: Zionist voters have elected a 'troika of terrorism'
00:20 Sarkozy: I want Obama to engage in Iran talks with `spirit of firmness`
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Summer in Israel
Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
Passover Vacations
The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida
SURF RAMBAM
Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
Camp Kimama Israel 2009
The best place for your children this summer
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Jewish Singles Personal Ads
Find the love of your life on JDate.com
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved