Israel minister retires before polls
27 Nov 2012 5:33 AM IST
Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak, a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stunned observers on Mondayby announcing his retirement from politics ahead of snap elections in January. The decision appeared to end a decades-long career that has seen him serve in top governmental posts and lead the country as prime minister.
At a hastily-announced press conference at the defence ministry in Tel Aviv, Barak, 70, said he would step down when the new government takes office after general elections on January 22.
‘I have decided to resign from political life and not participate in the upcoming Knesset (parliamentary) elections,’ he said.
‘I will finish my duties as defence minister with the formation of the next government in three months,’ Barak added, saying that he wanted to spend more time with his family.
‘Politics is just one way of contributing to the state,’ he said, while declining to specify whether he might consider a return to government.
The prime minister said he respected Barak's decision and thanked him for the role he had played in his ruling coalition government.
‘PM Netanyahu respects DM Barak's decision; thanks him for cooperation in government and appreciates his contribution to security of state,’ his office said on its official Twitter feed.
At a hastily-announced press conference at the defence ministry in Tel Aviv, Barak, 70, said he would step down when the new government takes office after general elections on January 22.
‘I have decided to resign from political life and not participate in the upcoming Knesset (parliamentary) elections,’ he said.
‘I will finish my duties as defence minister with the formation of the next government in three months,’ Barak added, saying that he wanted to spend more time with his family.
‘Politics is just one way of contributing to the state,’ he said, while declining to specify whether he might consider a return to government.
The prime minister said he respected Barak's decision and thanked him for the role he had played in his ruling coalition government.
‘PM Netanyahu respects DM Barak's decision; thanks him for cooperation in government and appreciates his contribution to security of state,’ his office said on its official Twitter feed.
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