Labor Chairman Amir Peretz
Photo: Hagai Aharon
Israel Our Home Avigdor Lieberman
Photo: Haim Tzach
Peretz: Labor concerned over Lieberman
While negotiations between PM, Israel Our Home head over joining coalition continue, Labor chairman says Lieberman's inclusion in government represents problem due to moral, ideological differences
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Israel Our Home Chairman Avigdor Lieberman will meet Monday for a first official talk since it has been decided that the party would enter negotiations over joining the coalition. The two spoke on Sunday, after the Israel Our Home faction authorized Lieberman to negotiate on the matter.
In light of these talks, Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz announced Monday that he plans to continue his efforts to prevent a change in the make-up of the coalition, and strengthen its current composition. Peretz said that if Israel Our Home enters the government this would signify a considerable change in the current coalition's stances regarding both diplomatic and socioeconomic issues.
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According to Peretz, "Israel Our Home's willingness to join the coalition on the basis of the government's underlying principles is an important step, but it does not resolve the moral questions concerning human and civil rights in Israel."
"In the event the prime minister declares his decision to change the make-up of the coalition, the Labor chairman would convene his party's institutes in a bid to decide on the matter. This is not an issue of personal disqualification, but an ideological gap and worldview differences," he added.
Despite senior Labor officials' assessments that the party will eventually agree to stay in the coalition, Minister Eitan Cabel said that he would recommend Labor leave the coalition in the event of Israel Our Home's addition.
Meanwhile, Knesset members such as Matan Vilnai, Ami Ayalon and others said in recent days that they would not work against the party staying in the government.
Ilan Marciano contributed to the report
