There is no basis for the Labor party to enter into coalition negotiations with the Likud, Labor Chairman Ehud Barak toldPrime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu duringa telephone conversation Sunday afternoon.
As his reason, Barak noted the Likud's "widespread adoption of the requests of Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman, including the appointment of all the heads of Israel's law enforcement agencies."
Barak further stated that Labor would not join a government that would see Daniel Friedmann stay on as justice minister, as demanded by Yisrael Beiteinu.
During the collation talks Barak has been harshly criticized by fellow party members, who object to joining a Netanyahu-led coalition. Senior Labor officials went as far as saying that Barak was destroying the party.
Despite Barak's announcement, some Labor officials remain unconvinced that he has given up on his efforts to join the burgeoning government.