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Attorney submits petition to remove Barak as Labor leader
By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Service and Israel Radio
Tags: Labor Party, Likud 

An attorney submitted a petition to the Labor Party's legal institutions Thursday to remove Ehud Barak as party leader.

The petition, filed by Dekel David Ozer, calls for elections for a new party leader to be held within 90 days.

Also Thursday, Labor MK Shelly Yachimovich said that Barak is killing their party's chances of being a true alternative for Israel's electorate by considering Likud's coalition offer.
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Yachimovich made her comments in an interview with Army Radio in the wake of growing dissent among Labor party members over Barak's leadership and decision-making.

She added that the Labor Party's Socialist-Democratic platform and political and ethical views are contrary to the economic worldview of Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu and Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman.

"I was offered the Industry and Trade Minsitry and I wanted it more than anything, but not at any price," said Yachimovich.

Yachimovich clarified that should Labor decide to join a Netanyahu-led coalition, she would not leave the party. "Together we will build the appropriate leadership for the Labor Party," said Yachimovich. "Together with the voters we will present a fitting alternative to the leadership."

Barak responded to his critics on Thursday, saying, "What is wrong with talking to Netanyahu? I have spoken with senior terrorists in the PLO. Is Netanyahu the worst of our nation's enemies?"

Barak added that leaving the country's problems in the hands of a narrow right-wing government would be irresponsible. "The public's true dream government is a Likud-Kadima-Labor government. Both Tzipi Livni and Netanyahu said before the elections that they would work to forge a unity government."

Barak on Wednesday said that Labor should "seriously consider" Likud leader Netanyahu's offer to join the coalition, putting him on a collision course with at least half of the party's faction - who reject the proposal.

Next Tuesday the Labor convention will debate the idea of joining Netanyahu in a national unity government.

"The diplomatic, security, economic and social challenges facing Israel make it imperative for Labor to seriously consider [Netanyahu's invitation]," Barak's statement read.

Netanyahu reportedly offered Barak five portfolios, including Defense, Industry and Trade, Agriculture and two others, in addition to deputy defense minister for MK Matan Vilnai and the chair of a Knesset committee.

However, some Labor MKs say that even if Barak succeeds in leading the party into Netanyahu's coalition, they would not support the government.

Labor Secretary-General MK Eitan Cabel said most MKs would oppose joining the far right parties that Netanyahu has teamed up with, which opposed United States sponsored talks with Palestinians for a two-state solution.

Barak intended to call a gathering of the convention Thursday, but Cabel set the time for next week to sabotage Barak's plan.

Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon, who previously objected to joining Netanyahu's government, Wednesday urged Barak to assemble the party's central committee to reevaluate Netanyahu's offer.

"We cannot afford to disregard it. This is the only country we've got," Simhon said.

Simhon, National Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, Vilnai and Histadrut chairman Ofer Eini are expected to support Barak. MKs Ophir Pines-Paz, Yachimovich, Avishay Braverman, Cabel, Amir Peretz and Orit Noked and former ministers Yuli Tamir and Raleb Majadele object to joining the coalition.

Barak Wednesday called Simhon, Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog, Ben-Eliezer and Vilnai for a meeting to prepare for the battle at the convention.

Labor MKs were furious to hear Wednesday that Netanyahu and Barak were in the midst of secret coalition negotiations. Until Wednesday Barak still denied he was negotiating to enter the coalition.

Yachimovich said her colleagues did not need "Netanyahu's assurances or 'Rabbi' Avigdor Lieberman's kashrut approval. Netanyahu's statements were obviously meant to sanction membership in the worst coalition in the country's history."

"Labor members have an iron will, as well as a value system opposed to that of Netanyahu and Lieberman," Yachimovich said. "If Kadima was wise enough to steer clear of this government, there is no reason Labor should do otherwise."

Netanyahu and Barak met privately several times in the past week. They met again Wednesday morning and decided to make a move to force Labor to enter Netanyahu's government.

Wednesday morning Netanyahu's office released an announcement urging the Labor Party to join a national unity government.

"The Labor Party has many leading and experienced individuals who could contribute greatly in areas such as defense, diplomacy, finance, and social affairs," the announcement said. "Bringing them into the government would significantly strengthen the current leadership and help with Israel's future challenges."

Labor's MKs heard the announcement and realized that something was going on behind their backs.

After the elections Barak said he was going to go to the opposition "to serve the state there. The people have had their say. We won't be partner to a government that is not based on our way."

"Netanyahu wants to set up a right-wing government with a Labor fig leaf. That is out of the question," Pines-Paz said Wednesday.

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