Centrist Labor joins new Israeli government

Israel’s Labor Party voted Tuesday to join the incoming government of Benjamin Netanyahu, lending a moderate voice to a coalition dominated by hardliners and easing concerns of a head-on confrontation with Washington over Mideast peacemaking.

Chants of “Disgrace! Disgrace!” echoed through the convention hall after Defense Minister Ehud Barak pushed through the proposal despite angry opposition from party activists who feared Labor would give only a superficial gloss to a government little interested in moving toward peace.

Labor’s move gives Netanyahu’s coalition a majority of 66 in the 120-seat parliament.
Labor’s decision, by a 680-507 vote, paves the way for a broader government than the narrow and hawkish one Netanyahu would otherwise have had to settle for, increasing his chances of gaining international acceptance.

Barak was set to remain defense minister, a key position in the new Cabinet, that could allow Labor to promote peace efforts with the Palestinians.

On the other hand, the expected appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as foreign minister could overshadow Barak’s input. Lieberman is widely perceived as a racist because of his demands that Israel’s minority Arabs take a loyalty oath or forfeit their citizenship.