Barak Presents Himself a Seasoned Candidate for Premiership

Ehud Barak speaks during the 19. Swiss Economic Forum SEF, in Interlaken, Switzerland, June 2, 2017. Anthony Anex/AP
Ehud Barak speaks during the 19. Swiss Economic Forum SEF, in Interlaken, Switzerland, June 2, 2017. Anthony Anex/AP
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Barak Presents Himself a Seasoned Candidate for Premiership

Ehud Barak speaks during the 19. Swiss Economic Forum SEF, in Interlaken, Switzerland, June 2, 2017. Anthony Anex/AP
Ehud Barak speaks during the 19. Swiss Economic Forum SEF, in Interlaken, Switzerland, June 2, 2017. Anthony Anex/AP

Former prime minister Ehud Barak said that he is the most seasoned and qualified among other candidates to lead Israel, namely Benjamin Netanyahu.

In an interview with Amnon Abramovich, Barak was asked why he didn’t run for elections, since “the tweeting policy is cowardly, a behind-the-back move.” He replied that it was the most adequate way of communication for him meanwhile.

“Many people asked me if I was going to compete in the elections. Some showed me a survey conducted four months ago, and it shows that if I run for elections infront of Netanyahu then I will get the required majority and win,” added Barak.

He continued, “Netanyahu would get the most votes overall. But neither of us gets as many as 40 percent of the vote; 35 percent of the public doesn’t know whom to vote for, with Netanyahu prime minister and me as a tweeting citizen.”

“I don’t need encouragement, I’m immodest enough to see that objectively, judging by record, experience, being internationally known, intimate familiarity with security issues, statesmanship and economics, I am today more seasoned and more qualified to lead Israel than any other candidate, including Netanyahu, who is experienced but incapable of making decisions,” he added.

Responding on Abramovich question about the possibility of Barak forming a new party led by a number of prominent figures, Barak replied, “It’s an excellent idea, but premature. Such a list must be formed on the eve of elections.”

It is not the first time that Barak’s name appear among possible candidates, despite Barak’s stated support for Labor’s recently elected leader Avi Gabbay.

Coalition Chairman David Bitan and Shuli Mualem, in coordination with Council of Settlements, promoted a new bill that removes imposed restrictions on Israelis movement in settlements evacuated in north West Bank.

The bill is a first step towards rebuilding four northern settlements in Jenin. It will be presented before the Ministerial Committee for Legislation for voting next Sunday. Yet, voting is expected to be delayed for five weeks, in coordination with the Americans.



Israeli Strikes Kill 12 in Gaza as War Grinds Into the New Year

A Palestinian child wounded during the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip receives treatment at the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
A Palestinian child wounded during the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip receives treatment at the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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Israeli Strikes Kill 12 in Gaza as War Grinds Into the New Year

A Palestinian child wounded during the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip receives treatment at the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
A Palestinian child wounded during the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip receives treatment at the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Israeli strikes killed at least 12 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, mostly women and children, officials said Wednesday, as the nearly 15-month war ground on into the new year with no end in sight.

One strike hit a home in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza, the most isolated and heavily destroyed part of the territory, where Israel has been waging a major operation since early October, The Associated Press reported.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says seven people were killed, including a woman and four children, and that at least a dozen other people were wounded.
Another strike overnight into Wednesday in the built-up Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed a woman and a child, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the bodies.

A third strike early Wednesday in the southern city of Khan Younis killed three people, according to the nearby Nasser Hospital and the European Hospital, which received the bodies.
Israel’s air and ground offensive has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The war has caused widespread destruction and displaced some 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, many of them multiple times.
Hundreds of thousands are living in tents on the coast as winter brings frequent rainstorms and temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius at night. At least four infants have died of hypothermia.