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Barak carries his Labor into Netanyahu government DEBKAfile Special Report March 24, 2009, 9:17 PM (GMT+02:00) Ehud Barak wins party backing for joining Netanyahu government In a stormy session Tuesday night, March 24, Israel's Labor party voted to join the government headed by Likud leader, Binyamin Netanyahu. Seven Knesset members tried to torpedo the conference in a tempestuous revolt against Labor leader Ehud Barak's partnership accord with Netanyahu. Out of 1,191 members, 57.9 percent backed Barak, 42 percent voted against him. Continuation of the internal Labor revolt continues could pare his majority down from 66 to 60-61 deputies, including Israel Beitenu and Shas, and augur a split in Barak's party.  More...

Netanyahu-Barak pact transcends right-left lines, dominates Israel's political dynamic DEBKAfile Exclusive Analysis March 23, 2009, 7:15 PM (GMT+02:00) The Netanyahu-Barak pact transforms Israeli politics Last September, two former Israeli prime ministers who failed to survive full term made common, cross-party cause for a pact which is now coming into its own, say DEBKAfile's political analyst. Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu can count on heading a new government in less than two weeks, retaining Labor's Ehud Barak in defense if he survives the showdown this week with his Labor party. Both see Israel's most acute problems as being the global economic meltdown and a nuclear-armed Iran. Netanyahu agrees to line up behind Barak on national security while the latter endorses the prime minister's program to haul the economy out of recession.  More... Israel clears Kuwait's intel chief for Ramallah, Bethlehem – but not Temple Mount DEBKAfile Exclusive Report March 23, 2009, 8:23 PM (GMT+02:00) Kuwaiti intelligence chief leaves in a huff Sheikh Ahmad al Fahd al Jabar al Sabah, head of Kuwait's national intelligence service, arrived in Ramallah Monday, March 23, as guest of Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas. He also scheduled appointments with senior Israeli intelligence officials. But he left in a huff when Israel denied him permission to pray at the al Aqsa Mosque on Temple Mount and tour the Church of the Sepulcher in Jerusalem escorted only by PA officials and security guards.  More...