By KUNA,
Gaza : The right-wing Israeli party, Likud, lashed out on Wednesday at leader of the Labor Party Ehud Barak for backing down from his campaign to dissolve the Knesset and effectively topple the government of Ehud Olmert.
Israel Radio quoted authoritative figures in the party as saying that the left-wing party, the Labor, should seek to justify this step and the decision to stay in an ineffective coalition government.
Barak should explain to the public the reasons that had nudged him to repeal his previous decision to support a bill intended to dissolve the Knesset, that was due to hold a session today to debate the proposed law, the radio quoted an un-named party official as saying.
The stance by the right-wing party coincided with latest polls that showed that the party, currently led by Benjamin Netanyahu, would win legislative polls, if held at these times.
Barak declared his abstention from supporting the bill, that would have ultimately led to ousting the cabinet, in line with an agreement worked out with Olmert’s party, Kadima, stipulating in part that the latter would hold polls in his party by September 25, while the Labor would refrain till the mentioned date from joining the rightists’ efforts aimed at toppling the executive authority.
According to Israel’s laws, if the Knesset approves a bill for dissolving itself, early elections must be held within three months, while the government proceeds services on care-taking basis.
The local media, in articles published today, indicated that Olmert by accepting to hold party polls had actually succumbed to the Labor pressure, intended to force him step down.