Labour's 'poisoned chalice'

Shimon Peres delivered a passionate plea in favour of joining

By Jeremy Cooke in Jerusalem

In the three weeks since Ariel Sharon won the Israeli prime ministerial elections, the Labour party has been agonising over the decision of whether or not to join a government of national unity.

We're selling our soul

Labour Party member

Mr Sharon's offer is a poisoned chalice for Labour members, many of whom view Mr Sharon as sworn political enemy.

The difficulty of the decision was reflected by the heated and bitter debate in the party's central committee before Monday night's vote.

Labour's elder statesman, Shimon Peres, had to shout to make himself heard as he delivered a passionate speech in favour of joining the coalition, which will be led by Mr Sharon.

Warnings of split

Mr Peres said that joining the new government was an opportunity for the country to pursue peace and for his party to begin a process of renewal.

The time has come to listen to the people. We suffered a defeat because we did not listen to the people

Shimon Peres

But other senior Labour politicians voiced their disgust at the very suggestion that they should make a deal with Mr Sharon, a man they regard as a right-wing hardliner.

They believe he has no interest in making peace with the Arabs.

There were stark warnings that such a move would certainly split the Labour party, perhaps fatally.

Sharon's delight

That warning came into sharp focus when the votes were counted and the party's decision to join Mr Sharon's coalition was confirmed.

Ariel Sharon has got exactly what he wants

Israel's Labour party will be in government. It will also be in crisis.

Watching it all with delight is Mr Sharon. He has had three anxious weeks since being elected as this country's new prime minister.

Now he has got what he wanted and is on the verge of delivering the Israeli people a coalition government which reflects a broad range of political opinion.