Ehud Barak: "I will not run for Labor's presidency" Israel today

The former prime minister has decided to reject pressure from party officials • "Union in the bloc - a necessary condition for a change of government" • The primaries will be held this coming Sunday

• Ehud Barak

  Photography: 

  Oren Ben Hakon

Despite references from party officials, Ehud Barak announced tonight (Monday) that he will not run in the primaries for the Labor Party leadership next week. 

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart to you members of the Labor Party and activists from all over the country, for the exciting trust folded in your hundreds of appeals to me to return and head the party, a party that founded the country and has been my political home for most of my life," Barak said. 

"Special thanks to the hundreds of protesters who asked me to return, these are members of the stubborn struggle for the image of Israel. The protest was especially this year, the beating heart of the struggle for our future. The hundreds of thousands in Balfour, Caesarea, Rabin Square and the bridges A day for victory.

"The main consideration before my eyes is the prospect of uniting a large bloc that will lead to the formation of a government that will deal with the depths of the human-economic crisis, the illusions of the corona and the restoration of citizens' trust in government and democratic institutions." , In the integrity of the people that precedes the integrity of the land, in the declaration of independence as the basis of our values ​​and in the ownership of the citizens for the achievements of Israel and their fruits. 

"Clearly I did with almost everyone involved, I found a lot of good will and intentions but still not the maturity needed for decisions on the formation of such a bloc. I could not bring ourselves to know, already now, that we can lead to unification in a triangular party with 'there is a future'. The Israelis', 'Labor' and some of the new parties that have sprung up in the bloc recently, a union which in my view is a necessary condition for the change of government. With a heavy heart, under these conditions I came to the conclusion that it would not be right for me to run for Labor.

"I wish all the candidates and the party and its members a fair deal and a quick and correct choice of the next chairman.

I express my hope that, before the lists are made, the clarity of vision and mental strength that will establish this required union will be found for the benefit of all Israeli citizens. "

The Chief of Staff and former Prime Minister (78) was included in the April 2019 elections in tenth place on the Democratic camp list, but did not enter the Knesset. .

Other names mentioned among Labor activists as possible candidates are former Knesset members Amar Bar-Lev and Eitan Kabel.

Meanwhile, the Labor Party's election committee that convened today has decided that the deadline for applying for the Labor presidency is Thursday.

The Labor leadership election will take place this coming Sunday.