Ehud Barak announces retirement from political life

And this man was a member of the Labour , you said left ??? Left or just opportunist ...

To all those who have had so many derogatory things to say about Barak - he served his country well, his enemies respect him & fear him, he has built a well polished army that is back on form & he has positioned it to go to the next level. As an Israeli citizen I can only wish him well, thank him for his long & committed service to his country & wish that the next defense minister will also strike the same fear he did in his enemies.

Good riddance to an inflated windbag and colossal, self-serving opportunist. His time to go was a long, long time ago.

He is not perfect as no politician is. Nor is any human. Show respect to an Israeli hero and loyal server of the Jewish nation. Ben Gurion had many more faults then Barak had in politics. Yet he is now a respectfed historical figure ans statement. Barak is even better on the account that he knows when to retire. BG didn't until told by Mapai to leave political life.

Its about time. The best political move he ever made. Netanyahu and Lieberman should follow in his footsteps. Now the Hague should charge him with the crimes he has committed.

to incompetence and more. He is the most hated man in Israel .

Perhaps other politicians care to follow his example and stay home minding their grand-children to allow others, younger politicians, to mind the future of Israel. There is a big difference between a seasoned politician and a politician with no ideas as is the case with most of the present ones in the country where their main interest appears to be the real estate business and to represent the interest of the rich because after all, politicians are the shepherd hired by the rich to tender the herd.

Iran can breathe a bit easier now.

'In 1999, he was voted prime minister in Israel first, and only, direct election of the head of state.' i thought it was bibi who won the 1st direct election in 1996.

hah

I wish Natanyahu will have The courage to withdraw in the next elections. Thank you

Barak know that the people do NOT want hiim !!!!!! He tries every angll to stay im the press.

We are Losing a great man,Ehud Barak...if He can...I wish him stay until the Iran Nuclear Power Track Dowen before too Let??means State of Israel She Need the man Like Ehud Barak Herro,in bad time...Specially Now??anyway We Pray For him,if He change Mind.'God Bless Ehud Barak the Israely Herro!! Thanks&'HaShem bless You,what You Did for Your Country........etc.Johny Abraham

Thank goodness this hated little Napoleon is finally leaving the political scene

Yuli Edelstein will go down in the history of Israel's governments as the worst minster ever. And the competition is really hard.

We remember what happened to Olmert, now this. I expect coersion is being used to pressure him.

It was longe over due Barak, smart and brave move. Perez must do the same. Israel will get stronger. You can not fight the terrorists with bunch of those weak leaders. Israel has to be united, and get ready. It is not time for resting. Just look at the Lebanone let alone the 4th reich of Iranian.

We owe him a huge debt, he has done much for Israel's security since the age of 16. A true warrior with impeccable credentials.

who will be the next defense minister ? avigdor ?

Ehud Barak staying or leaving won't solve anything nor stop anything: he must not have built on AIR nor on GASS Rabin left Labour in2 with Clinton: WE said WE cannot go on with Rabin Legacy and SO Clinton ended his and hers2: how such a good soldier could've been so Blind.

He is trying any angle to uet some press time/ The people have shown and told him he is an unwanted idiot but he is pushing evevry angle to get some press space