Free Republic

Former Justice Minister Haim Ramon spoke out against the proposed ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, saying that it is "the worst deal" that Israel could possibly agree to. In an interview with 103 FM Radio, Ramon said, "The deal proposed today is the worst of all worlds. In practice, we will end the war. Anyone who thinks that after 42 days, by pressing a button, we will restart the war - is making a mistake. People will return to the Gaza border area, to the north, and it will be very hard to continue the war." "Because it is this way, and...

Acting Knesset head Binyamin (Fouad) Ben-Eliezer has asked Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to urge United States President Barack Obama to address the Knesset during his upcoming visit to Israel. “The nation of Israel definitely thirsts to hear the United States President speak to them directly,” he argued. “There is no more appropriate venue than the Knesset for the U.S. President to speak.” “I believe that this act, of a direct address to Israel in the Knesset assembly… during this visit, specifically, would carry tremendous importance,” he added. MK Reuven Rivlin, speaker of the last Knesset, agreed. “The Knesset is the...

Mar. 14, 2003 Dramatic night at Labor Party central committee meet By TOVAH LAZAROFF AND HILARY LEILA KRIEGER Advertisement An evening that began with victory for Labor Party leader Amram Mitzna ended with calls for his resignation after many of his supporters Thursday had left the central committee meeting in Tel Aviv. Labor whip Dalia Itzik called for early party leadership elections within three to four month instead of waiting for next year. The problems started following a show of support, 78 to 46, for a proposal by MK Ephraim Sneh to change the party's political platform to follow the...

Mar. 13, 2003 Labor Party meeting to discuss its future By THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF The Labor Party central committee is meeting at this hour at Tel-Aviv's exhibition grounds to discuss the party's poor showing in the recent general elections. The meeting is the central committee's first since the elections, and takes place amongst rising tensions between party boss Amram Mitzna and Binyamin Ben-Eliezer. Right at the outset of the meeting, party boss Amram Mitzna said he had no plans to resign, and would lead the party to victory. Mitzna added that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon would gain the...

Feb. 24, 2003 Labor MKs say they are sick of Mitzna By GIL HOFFMAN Advertisement After only three months on the job, Labor Party Chairman Amram Mitzna has already overstayed his welcome and many Labor MKs cannot wait for his ouster, senior party officials said, following a Labor faction meeting on Monday that erupted into a shouting match for the second day in a row. While Sunday's meeting was stormy from the start, Labor MKs talked peacefully for two hours on Monday, before Mitzna began insulting the MKs and blaming them for the party's downfall. Mitzna's erstwhile rival, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer,...