Barak won't run in Labor primaries

Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak declares Saturday he will not run in Labor primaries, cancels meeting with Labor Chairman Amir Peretz scheduled for Sunday, due to Peretz's refusal to publicly support him in elections
Attila Somfalvi

Tensions within the Labor party have hit a new high Saturday, after former Prime Minister Ehud Barak called off his anticipated meeting with the party Chairman Amir Peretz, which was set for Sunday, and announced he will not run in the party's primaries.

Barak-Peretz Meeting

Barak: I'm staying in Labor / Attila Somfalvi

Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak says he will remain in Labor, but Barak's associates say conflict with Amir Peretz still stands. Meanwhile Shimon Peres meets with Labor MK Raleb Majadele Thursday, in a bid to enlist his support in new party Kadima

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Barak has however decided he will stay in the party and contend for party leadership after the general elections take place in March.

Barak did not want a guaranteed spot on the party's list for Knesset, Barak's associates said. "He wanted Peretz to clearly and sincerely invite him to join him and lead the party together. That's all Barak needs," a source close to the former PM explained.

At private conversations with his supporters, Barak scathingly warned that Labor may become a new version of Peretz's former Am Echad party, and that it might similarly fail in the elections.

Associates of Peretz reacted harshly to the former prime minister's decision, and slammed Barak for calling off the meeting.

"Does Barak think that Amir is like (former party leader) Amram Mitzna? What part of his analytical mind failed to wake up this morning? If Barak doesn't want to meet Amir, it's up to him," a source close to Peretz said angrily.

Personal, political rivalry

Barak and Peretz have already met twice so far, and agreed to meet for a third time after their last meeting failed to yield an understanding between the two.

The dispute between the two Labor leaders is the result of Peretz's refusal to commit he will support Barak in the party's primary elections, or to secure Barak's standing within Labor after the general elections.

Peretz, who has faced harsh attacks by Barak during the campaign for Labor leadership, is apparently not eager to embrace his former adversary, who at several occasions accused him of forging the party's voters list.