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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Israeli Labor Party Picks Barak to Lead

Former PM will join cabinet, sets sight on top job again

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(Newser) – Ehud Barak won a runoff election yesterday making him head of Israel's Labor Party once again. Barak, who edged out former Shin Bet boss Ari Ayalon, will join PM Ehud Olmert's coalition cabinet, probably as defense minister. But the Guardian reports that the serial party chief is widely expected to make a run for his old job in the next general election.

Barak lost his office to Ariel Sharon of the right-leaning Likud Party 6 years ago. Likud's Benjamin Netanyahu is pulling ahead in popularity polls, and Barak has cast himself as the only Labor leader capable of beating Bibi. Olmert continues to take fire for his handling of the Lebanon War, and elections may be as soon as this summer.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak waves to supporters as he arrives to make a victory speech for the party's leadership at the Labor Party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, early Wednesday, June 13, 2007. The former Israeli prime minister won the Labor Party primary over a relative political newcomer,...
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak waves to supporters as he arrives to make a victory speech for the party's leadership at the Labor Party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, early Wednesday, June...   (Associated Press)
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and leading candidate in the Labor Party primary election, left, visits a polling station in Kfar Saba, Israel, Tuesday, June 12, 2007. Members of the dovish Israeli Labor Party were choosing a new leader Tuesday, picking between two retired soldiers, one an ex-premier who...
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and leading candidate in the Labor Party primary election, left, visits a polling station in Kfar Saba, Israel, Tuesday, June 12, 2007. Members of the dovish Israeli...   (Associated Press)
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and leading candidate in the Labor Party primary election casts his vote at a polling staion in Kfar Saba, Israel, Tuesday, June 12, 2007. Members of the dovish Israeli Labor Party were choosing a new leader Tuesday, picking between two retired soldiers, one an...
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and leading candidate in the Labor Party primary election casts his vote at a polling staion in Kfar Saba, Israel, Tuesday, June 12, 2007. Members of the dovish...   (Associated Press)
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