Israel's Labor Party to Join Netanyahu Government
By VOA News
24 March 2009
Israel's moderate Labor Party has voted to join the coalition government of Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu.
A party official speaking on national television said that after an intense debate, party members Tuesday endorsed Labor leader Ehud Barak's plan to join forces with Mr. Netanyahu.
Under the pact reached by the two politicians Tuesday, Mr. Barak will retain his post as defense minister.
Before the vote, many Labor lawmakers said they opposed joining Mr. Netanyahu's coalition, which includes his right-wing Likud party, the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party and the Orthodox Jewish Shas party.
Analysts in Israel say the coalition government will appear more broad and moderate with the Labor Party on board.
The new coalition will give Mr. Netanyahu a political partnership that holds 66 of parliament's 120 seats.
The Shas party agreed Monday to join Mr. Netanyahu's coalition government, which will be dominated by right-wing parties that oppose giving many concessions to the Palestinians.
Mr. Netanyahu was tasked with forming a new government following elections last month.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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