JERUSALEM — Prominent Labour MP Ofir Pines said yesterday he would become interior minister in Israel's new coalition government, set to enforce Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to evacuate the Gaza Strip. If confirmed, the 43-year-old dove will take on the most important of the five cabinet porfolios earmarked for Labour in a new coalition line-up with the right-wing Likud party.
| Thus showing that Sharon is almost as good a politican as Karl Rove. Sharon just co-opted Labour into enforcing the evacuation of Gaza. No way they can complain about this in the next election. Likud is thus near guaranteed of forming the next government. Genius. |
Labour MP Yitzhak Herzog has been chosen as housing and construction minister, Pines added. The key defence, foreign and finance ministries will remain under Likud control. Labour leader Shimon Peres will be made a second deputy prime minister. |