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.

Labor’s decision, by a 680-507 vote, paves the way for a broader government than the narrow and hawkish one Netanyahu would otherwise have had to settle for increasing his chances of gaining international acceptance.

Barak is set to remain defence minister, a key position in the new cabinet, that could allow Labor to promote peace efforts with the Palestinians.

On the other hand, the expected appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as foreign minister could overshadow Barak’s input.

Lieberman is widely perceived as a racist due to his demands that Israel’s minority Arabs take a loyalty oath or forfeit their citizenship.

Jewish extremists yesterday marched through the northern Israeli-Arab town of Umm el-Fahm, demanding residents show loyalty to Israel, sparking stone-throwing protests by Arab youths that police dispersed with stun grenades and tear gas.

No serious injuries were reported, but residents denounced the march on one of Israel’s largest Arab communities.