JERUSALEM – Prime minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu enlisted Ehud Barak’s Labor party yesterday into a political partnership that could help Israel’s next government avoid friction with Washington on Middle East peace.
Under the coalition deal with Mr Barak, an administration led by Mr Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud would respect all Israel’s international agreements, a Labor negotiator said – a formula that includes accords envisaging Palestinian statehood.
Mr Barak, an architect of Israel’s recent Gaza offensive, is to retain his post as defence minister. Labor’s central committee voted its approval of the coalition deal after a stormy debate.
“I am not afraid of Bibi Netanyahu,” Mr Barak told the assembly in a shaky, emotion-filled voice.
“I will not be anyone’s fig leaf,” he said, dismissing talk that Labor would have little say on policy.
“We will be a counterweight that will ensure we do not have a narrow right-wing government.”
The pact made no mention of talks with the Palestinians, saying only a Netanyahu-led government would pursue “a regional agreement for peace and co-operation in the Middle East”.
The deal would give Mr Netanyahu a ruling majority of 66 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.
– (Reuters)