Centrist Labor Party votes to join Netanyahu coalition

ISRAEL’S Labor Party voted last night to join the incoming government of Benjamin Netanyahu, lending a moderate voice to a coalition dominated by hard liners and easing concerns of a head-on confrontation with Washington over Middle East peacemaking.

Chants of “Disgrace! Disgrace!” echoed through the convention hall after Defence Minister Ehud Barak pushed through the proposal, despite angry opposition from party activists who feared Labor would give only a superficial gloss to a government

Labor’s move gives Netanyahu’s coalition a majority of 66 in the 120-seat parliament.