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Defense Minister Ehud Barak. (Uriah Tadmor) Last update - 20:25 02/06/2008 Barak says general elections this year are 'entirely possible' By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Ehud Barak, Labor, Elections  Defense Minister and Labor party chair Ehud Barak told his party lawmakers Monday that it was "entirely possible" that elections for a new prime minister and Knesset would be held by the end of this year. "The die has been cast and the political situation cannot last," Barak said at a Labor faction meeting. "It's entirely possible that there will be elections this year," said Barak. "We support governmental stability, but we are ready for elections." In an apparent appeal to members of Olmert's Kadima party, Barak added that "It's not the time to drag one's feet, rather for purposeful and correct action." Advertisement Last week, Barak said that if Prime Minister Ehud Olmert did not leave his post in the wake of the investigation that is being conducted against him in the "affair of the envelopes" centering on allegations that Olmert took cash bribes from U.S. Jewish businessman and donor Morris Talansky ? the Labor party would act to set an agreed-upon date for early elections. Knesset Interior Committee Chair MK Ophir Pines-Paz, who presided over the session, urged Kadima to take a "concrete step" within a reasonable time frame. Pines-Paz said that in two weeks a preliminary vote is expected on a bill to dissolve the Knesset. If Kadima does not take action by then "We will have to support this bill." Related articles: Olmert: Not every person under probe must resign Olmert, Barak delay cabinet vote on Gaza Strip ceasfire Bookmark to del.icio.us   Slamming Obama McCain uses speech to AIPAC to criticize Obama for willingness to meet U.S. foes. Soldier kidnapping Three Israeli Arabs charged with planning to kidnap, kill soldier.   1.   It Doesn`t Matter What Kadima Does Now,New Elections Must Be Held 19:03  |  Shepherd 02/06/08   2.   WHAT`S MORE POSSIBLE THIS YEAR IS MERT`S ABILITY TO GIVE J`SLEM/ 19:23  |  glenna 02/06/08   3.   What?s Barak?s IQ if Livni?s 150? Of their followers? 20:11  |  d 02/06/08   4.   The obvious 21:21  |  Joshua 02/06/08   5.   Why is Barak so ADAMANT? 06:48  |  khamsa 03/06/08

Read & React Who didn't attend New York's pro-Israel march? Israelis Responses: 211 Doctors identify three IDF soldiers among remains handed over by Hezbollah Responses: 159 John McCain: U.S. is committed to preventing a second Holocaust Responses: 170 Barak: Hamas is exhibiting signs of distress Responses: 92 Rosner's Domain New Guest: Why educate child as Jew when he is not Jewish? McCain's real enemy: Iran or Obama? (WTR) Poll: What political option is better for Israel? The ultimate challenge for Pastor Hagee McCain's Defense Sec(?) isn't sure about recognizing Israel (WTR) More Headlines 04:08 Mofaz parlays with Shas to avoid early elections 02:39 Egypt tries to thwart Israel's plans in Europe 01:05 Olmert begins U.S. visit; set to meet with AIPAC, Bush 03:52 Physicians for Human Rights official detained by Shin Bet 01:37 Natalie Portman to pitch Jewish-funded youth village in Rwanda 06:32 Gal-On bill would jail 'online brothel managers' for 5 years 05:53 Anti-Semitic incidents in Canada hit record high in 2007 01:57 With primary in sight, Kadima chiefs scurry to drum up support 02:16 Doctors identify three IDF soldiers among remains handed over by Hezbollah 02:49 In about-face, government may open doors to Falashmura immigration 05:42 U.S., UN express concern over Israel's plan for 800 new E. J'lem homes 20:19 U.S. imam fighting deportation talks of torture in Israeli detention 04:22 State reneges on green deal for Wadi Ara Jewish town Previous Editions Select Day 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may

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