Barak's Ambition

I haven't commented on Israel's coalition negotiations, though I will once its finalized. However, is there any doubt left that Ehud Barak cares almost entirely about his own career ambitions?

"Labor and Likud negotiators were expected to hold their first meeting on Sunday, but the talks were postponed until the following morning. The Labor representatives comprise Histadrut labor federation chairman Ofer Eini, Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon and attorney Alon Gelhart.

"Barak said Sunday morning that Israel needed unity in place of a narrow rightist government. He urged the centrist Kadima party to launch talks with Likud, as well.

"Earlier, the Labor leader had refused to make the same pledge, leading to speculation that he could resign from the faction if his stance was not adopted by party members."

Joining a government dominated by Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu would be the end of Labor, which depends for a comeback on a dramatic political rejection of the Israeli right. Nobody wants to be led by a party of institutions and personal ambition without a vision for the future, and I see no vision Labor advances by serving as a fig leaf for what's to come.