Ehud Barak
צילום: מוטי קמחי
Barak reportedly seeking young leadership to breathe new life into Labor
The former Labor leader is said to be concerned for the state of the party and trying to convince MK Stav Shaffir to run for leadership.
Former prime minister Ehud Barak visited the home of Labor MK Stav Shaffir last week, reportedly in an effort to convince her to run for the leadership of the party.
Another source, who wasn't at the meeting with Shaffir, heard similar comments from Barak recently. The source said Barak believes an opportunity has presented itself that must not be squandered and that a young leadership, unburdened by political interests like the older leadership, could save the party and rehabilitate it.
Shaffir was joined for the 2.5-hour meeting by some 20 of her close associates, who have been accompanying her since she was first elected to the Knesset.
Barak, who has recently become a very vocal critic of the government and particularly of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Shaffir that the Labor party needed a younger leadership to breathe new life into it, according to one of the meeting's participants.
Ehud Barak (Photo: Motti Kimchi) (צילום: מוטי קמחי)
MK Stav Shaffir voting in the Labor primaries (Photo: Ido Erez) (צילום: עידו ארז)
Barak and Shaffir have met several times over the past year. Labor officials believe Barak has no interest in running for the party leadership himself and say he is merely concerned of the state of the party while Yesh Atid is gaining strength at the Labor's expense.
Labor MKs Amir Peretz and Erel Margalit have already announced intentions to run for the party leadership, while former environmental protection minister Avi Gabay, who recently joined Labor, said he was considering it. Former party leader Shelly Yacimovich has yet to decide, while current leader Isaac Herzog is expected seek reelection.
