Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak announced tonight (Monday) that he will not run in the Labor Party’s primaries ahead of the upcoming 24th Knesset elections. Barak posted a post on his Facebook account, in which he explained why he would not head the party that was his political home.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart to you members of the Labor Party and activists from all over the country, for the exciting trust folded in your hundreds of appeals to me to return and stand at the head of the party, a party that founded the state and has been my political home for most of my life. “Special thanks to the hundreds of protesters who asked me to return, these are members of the stubborn struggle for the image of Israel. The protest was especially this year, the beating heart of the struggle for our future. The hundreds of thousands in Balfour, Caesarea, Rabin Square and the bridges A day for victory. “
Barak noted that “the main consideration before my eyes is the prospect of a large bloc leading to the formation of a government that will deal with the depth of the human-economic crisis, the illusions of the corona and the restoration of citizens’ trust in government and democratic institutions. I mean a government. “In security above all, in the integrity of the people that precedes the integrity of the land, in the declaration of independence as the basis of our values and in the ownership of the citizens for the achievements of Israel and their fruits.”
“Clearly I did with almost everyone involved, I found a lot of will and good intentions but still not the maturity needed for decisions on the formation of such a bloc,” the former prime minister said, adding: “I have not been able to bring about A triangle with Yesh Atid, the Israelis, Labor and some of the new parties formed in the bloc recently, a union that I believe is a necessary condition for the change of government. With a heavy heart, under these conditions I came to the conclusion that it would not be right for me to run for Labor chairman. ‘”.
In conclusion, Barak wished all the candidates and the party and its members, “a fair deal and a quick and correct choice of the next chairman,” adding: “I express my hope that before the lists are submitted, the clarity of vision and mental strength will establish For the benefit of all Israeli citizens. “
Polls conducted last week show that the Labor Party, led by Barak, will receive between five and six seats and pass the blocking percentage in the upcoming Knesset elections, but with any other figure who heads it, it is not expected to pass the blocking percentage.