Former prime minister Ehud Barak, who is running for Amir Peretz's current roles as defense minister and Labor Party chairman, said on Sunday that a well-oiled team was necessary to ensure a successful leadership.

Speaking at his first political conference since he announced his candidacy last week, Barak said "we must build a staff and establish a leadership that is able to work together despite differences of opinion."

"One of the things I've learned in the last few years is the need to work together. I know that I cannot always do everything. I understand politics, but there are people in the party who could do as well," he added.

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The former prime minister said he was not ruling out the possibility that even if he were to win the upcoming party primaries another race for the leadership could be held before the general Knesset elections.

Barak refused to respond to media questions after his address. Some 100 Jordan Valley residents participated in the conference, which was organized by the United Kibbutz Movement and took place at Kibbutz Ofakim. Kibbutz Movement heads called on kibbutz members during the event to work to ensure that kibbutzim remain the largest constituency in the Labor Party.