A few hours after Labor Party chairman and Minister of Defense Ehud Barak broke up Labor by leaving to form a new party, Minister of Social Affairs Isaac Herzog faced the cameras and microphones to enter the leadership vacuum created in the party. He announced his resignation from the government and called on party members to take Labor out of the coalition.
After Herzog's resignation, Minister of Minority Affairs Avishai Braverman also called a press conference to announce his resignation.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Benjamin Ben-Eliezer also quit his post in the government this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Shas is demanding the social affairs portfolio.
Political sources believe that Barak supporters MK Matan Vilnai and Orit Noked will receive cabinet portfolios.
Herzog said in his remarks, "The party founded the country", and asserted that he was the first who called on Barak to resign.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 17, 2011
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011