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Peretz: Labor should return to its roots

Labor Party chairman says during faction meeting that party must struggle over nature of 2007 budget. Minister Ben Eliezer criticizes Peretz for changing his stance, deciding to support state commission of inquiry into war in Lebanon

The Labor Party faction convened Friday morning for a meeting at the party's offices in Tel Aviv to discuss the State Budget and the estbalishment of a state commission of inquiry into the war in Lebanon.

 

At the end of the economic discussion, Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz said that "Labor must return to its roots and deal with the issues for which it was sent for the Knesset.

 

The Labor faction did not vote on the issue of establishing a state commission of inquiry. Peretz is expected to discuss the issue with the Labor ministers.

 

Peretz noted that the party must struggle over the nature of the 2007 budget, and said that he would demand a budget draft from the Finance Ministry for the party to examine.

 

Harsh arguments broke out during the meeting between Knesset Member Danny Yatom and Minister Shalom Simhon. MK Shelly Yacimovich suggested that the faction support the social moves initiated by Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Eliyahu Yishai (Shas).

 

The meeting opened with a discussion on the State Budget, but at the start of the meeting National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer expressed his anger over the fact that Defense Minister Amir Peretz changed his stance on the issue.

 

Ben Eliezer, who opposes a state commission of inquiry, was furious over the fact that Peretz did not consult him or the other faction members before deciding to support a commission headed by a judge.

 

According to sources at the faction, the parties later calmed down and the meeting was held in a good atmosphere.

 

On Thursday evening, Ministers Ben-Eliezer, Isaac Herzog and Shalom Simhon said that they opposed a state commission of inquiry, and added that even if the faction decides to support the establishment of such a commission, they were not obliged to vote against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's proposal at the cabinet.

 

The rest of the Labor "rebels" stood by the demand to establish a commission headed by a judge. Peretz is backed by three other ministers who support his stance and constitute a majority supporting a state commission of inquiry.

 

PM's aides: Peretz losing control

On Thursday evening, facing increading public and political criticism, Defense Minister Amir Peretz changed his initial stance and decided to support the establishment of a state commission of inquiry.

 

His aides explained to Ynet that among the considerations behind the decision was also the fear that splitting the committees established by the prime minister was aimed at "imposing the unpleasant task" on Peretz.

 

Close aides of the prime minister were infuriated with Peretz's decision.

 

"This behavior is foolish. Amir Peretz is acting like a politician who lost all control," they said. "His decision is surprising since he was the first to announce the commission of inquiry led by Amnon Lipkin-Shahak. He's acting like a man under pressure who is trying to save his skin," they stated.

 

Meanwhile, officials in the Prime Minister's Office said that "the defense minister has the right to do what he sees fit. We are not happy with the decision, but this is not expected to influence the relations between the two. The coalition will not fall because of this."

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.01.06, 10:23
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