Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., November 08, 2007 Cheshvan 27, 5768 | | Israel Time: 11:07 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Print Edition Diplomacy Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising Magazine Week's End Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Books Travel

Defense Minister Ehud Barak (Daniel Baron / Jini) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 08:47 08/11/2007 Barak under increasing fire for coolness on Annapolis summit By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent tags: Labor Party, Ehud Barak  The perceived undermining of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's peace drive by Defense Minister and Labor leader Ehud Barak is drawing increasing fire from within his own party ranks. Labor left wingers were the first to accuse Barak of sabotaging the peace effort and the Annapolis conference, but now central figures like MKs Ophir Pines-Paz, Ephraim Sneh and Amir Peretz have joined the chorus of criticism. Associates of Barak who had hoped he would modify his line were disappointed. "I am aware of the price this could cost, but we are not dealing with political considerations here," Barak told confidants this week. Advertisement "It's not something personal against Olmert. I'm praying for a successful conference in Annapolis. How could anyone accuse me of not wanting peace? At [the 2000 Camp David summit], I went farther than any leader before me. I don't have to prove my commitment to peace," Barak reportedly said. Speaking at Rabin Square on Saturday night Barak declared his support for the Annapolis conference, but his tone was reserved. Labor sources said Barak does not give the impression of being wholeheartedly behind the conference. "Annapolis is an opportunity, not a threat. I hope it will succeed with all my heart," the defense minister reportedly said, and then added, "Our camp always knew when to go for peace and did so more forcefully and courageously than any other political body in Israel. But we have always done so in a rational responsible way. A peace of the brave. A peace of security." However, Barak supposedly noted that the cabinet has not conducted a thorough debate on the Annapolis conference. In his opinion, the cabinet should have discussed what the Palestinians were willing to give up and whether they could deliver the goods. The cabinet should also have discussed the implications of the summit's failure, Barak told those around him. Barak is also troubled over the numerous channels in which the peace process is being conducted -- Olmert via Mahmoud Abbas, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni via Abu Ala, Vice Premier Haim Ramon via Abu Ala and other people, and President Shimon Peres via senior Palestinian Authority officials. This enables the Palestinians to spot the weaknesses in the Israeli system, such as Ramon's frenzied swoop on the peace process going too far, according to Barak. Barak's third concern is that the Annapolis conference has set a bar of expectations that would be difficult to live up to. Since Israel decided to give up the road map's first step -- dismantling the terror infrastructure before opening negotiations -- it should go to the second step and discuss temporary borders rather than skip to the third step, Barak said. Barak's associates say that his position regarding Annapolis is well argued and sound. "He supports the summit but raises appropriate questions. It's his duty to raise warning signals," one associate said. "It would have been easiest for him to support it unreservedly." "Calling him the right wing's leader, as Meretz has, because of his objections to the move is a spin and won't change his attitude. Ultimately the public will appreciate the responsible approach," another said. While Peretz and Sneh's attacks on Barak could be dismissed as political rivalry, Pines-Paz has recently become a confidant. Paz-Pines said that the Annapolis summit is a farce which could lead to nothing, as Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu) and Eli Yishai (Shas) have threatened to quit the coalition if any progress is made. The summit is intended merely to give Olmert more time as prime minister. "Labor should take no part in this farce," Paz-Pines said. Related articles: Abbas: Aiming for peace deal before Bush leaves office Olmert: We won't run from core issues at Annapolis summit Fayad wants Israel to free 2,000 prisoners ahead of peace summit Prisoners or criminals? PA Chairman: We will continue to seek the release of all prisoners Rajoub: Releasing prisoners will help free Gilad Shalit Bookmark to del.icio.us And again... Olmert was voted the most corrupt politician for the 2nd year in a row. Political transfer Lieberman wants to outlaw the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee.   1.   HE`S RESPONSIBLE? FIRE BARAK FOR GIVING LEBANON TO HIZBOLLAH,CAUS 05:08  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 08/11/07   2.   Fool me once, fool me twice? 05:32  |  Dutch Dirk 08/11/07   3.   Shas and Lieberman 05:32  |  Rabbi Yakov Lazaros 08/11/07   4.   BARAK 06:12  |  BOB KING 08/11/07   5.   Israel can`t get anything together for peace 06:50  |  Steve 08/11/07   6.   BARAK IS LIVING IN THE REAL WORLD 06:54  |  T.Ruthfull 08/11/07   7.   #6, you are correct 07:37  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 08/11/07   8.   #6 T.Ruthfull & Cipora 08:37  |  S 08/11/07   9.   Coolness 09:52  |  Cyclops 08/11/07   10.   #8, S 10:43  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 08/11/07

Today Online Interpol issues wanted notices for Iranians accused of AMIA bombing Responses: 27 UNRWA chief: Blockade on Gaza fuel support for extremists Responses: 49 Aluf Benn: Deadly Qassam strike could tip scales in favor of major Gaza invasion Responses: 1 Haaretz.com TV: Judaism seeking rebirth in Poland Responses: 8 David Grossman snubs Olmert upon receiving prize Responses: 28 Rosner's Domain * Does Ron Paul single out Israel? * Terrified that Annapolis will fail (WTR) * Should American Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies? * Rosner's Guest: Trying to integrate Judaism and feminism More Headlines 04:31 IDF reservists: Hamas men fight like soldiers 10:28 PA document: Final agreement within 6 months of Annapolis 08:43 Syrian envoy to U.S. dismisses Annapolis summit as 'waste' 09:52 Report: Washington concerned Israel gearing up to attack Iran 09:33 Interpol issues wanted notices for Iranians accused of AMIA bombing 05:37 UNRWA chief: Blockade on Gaza is fueling support for extremists 08:47 Barak under increasing fire for coolness on Annapolis summit 05:10 Three Dutch couples named Righteous Among the Nations 05:49 Green groups question location of future IDF training 'city' 05:07 Current measles outbreak hit ultra-Orthodox the hardest Previous Editions Select Day 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 02 nov 01 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct 26 oct 25 oct

Special Offers Advertisement learn Hebrew online with israel's best teachers. Sign up for a trial lesson today Invest in Macedonia New Business Heaven in Europe Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here! Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt. Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved