Hotline: 0274 383 347
Wednesday, 27-8-25 02:21:01

World

Hotline: 0274 383 347

Israel's Barak, architect of Iran policy, quitting politics

Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday he was quitting politics, a surprise decision that deepens uncertainty over how Israel will confront Iran's nuclear programme.

 Barak's political fortunes appeared to be on the rise after Israel's eight-day Gaza offensive ended in a truce, but polls predicted his centrist party, a junior partner in right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu's government, would win no more than four seats in Israel's 120-member parliament in a January 22 election.

 A former head of the centre-left Labour Party, Barak has insisted he and Netanyahu have been united on policy toward Iran, an issue that has often put the prime minister at odds with U.S. President Barack Obama. 

 But as the only centrist member of the governing coalition of right-wing and pro-settler parties, Barak has frequently visited Washington for talks with top U.S. officials and had criticised Netanyahu for airing differences with the United States.

 At a hastily-called news conference, he said he would not be a candidate in the national ballot that Netanyahu's Likud party is forecast to win.

 He said he would remain in his post until a new government was formed in about three months' time, signalling his decision would have no immediate effect on Israel's calculations on how best to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.

 "The Iranian issue remains very important, even after I leave my position in three months. It will remain a central issue on the agenda," said Barak, who was often seen as a moderating force in considering possible military action against Iran.

 The 70-year-old ex-general said he wanted to spend more time with his family. Politics, he said, "has never been a particular passion of mine, and I feel there is room to allow other people to serve in senior roles in Israel".

 Barak said he would be prepared to offer advice to the next prime minister, if asked, remarks that swiftly raised questions in Israel over whether he might consider serving in the next government as a political appointee.

 "As long as my advice is asked for and held in high regard, I will make it available to the prime minister and to the heads of the establishment, on any defence or diplomatic issue," he said.

 Barak has been defence minister since 2007 and served as prime minister from 1999 to 2001, taking time out from politics after he lost the election to the Likud's Ariel Sharon.

 In a statement, Netanyahu said he "respects Defence Minister Ehud Barak's decision and thanks him for his cooperation in the government and highly appreciates his long-standing contribution to the security of the state".

 The Hamas movement ruling Gaza saw Barak's decision to quit as proof that this month's Israeli assault on the enclave was a disaster.

 "This is evidence of the political and military failure that the government of Netanyahu and his defence minister suffered," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum.

 Israel has called its offensive a success, saying it destroyed most of Hamas's long-range rocket arsenal and killed the Islamist group's top militants.

 IRAN STRIKE

 A former commander in an elite commando unit, Barak tried unsuccessfully to make peace with both the Palestinians and Syria during his time as prime minister.

 He was at the forefront of Israel's campaign for stronger international sanctions against Iran to halt what Israeli and Western leaders fear is a drive to produce nuclear weapons, allegations Tehran denies.

 He has cautioned that Tehran was nearing a "zone of immunity" that would put deeply buried and fortified nuclear facilities out of reach of Israel's military capabilities, stoking international concern it could opt to strike Iran.

 But last month, Barak told Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper that an immediate crisis was avoided when Iran chose to use more than a third of its medium-enriched uranium for civilian purposes earlier this year.

 He told the paper that the decision "allows contemplating delaying the moment of truth by eight to ten months".

 Listing his achievements, Barak said he had led the defence establishment and the Israel Defence Forces through a rehabilitation after the second Lebanon war in 2006 and the building of capability to deal with the threat from Iran.

 Barak's decision to call a news conference, with only two hours' notice, had touched off speculation he might announce the formation of a new centrist bloc to challenge Netanyahu's frontrunning Likud in the upcoming ballot.

 Former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and ex-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have been widely touted as possible candidates to lead such a bloc. Neither has announced their intentions, with only Livni widely expected to run

TTO

Tags:

Malaysia launches ASEAN startup platform

Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation on June 25 officially launched “Startup ASEAN”,

ASEAN steps up terrorism fight in digital age

The Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter‑Terrorism (SEARCCT) under Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an international conference in Kuala Lumpur on June 24

Singapore's core inflation falls in May

Singapore’s core inflation and overall inflation are projected to average between 0.5% and 1.5% this year.

Indonesia concludes FTA talks with Eurasian Economic Union

Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) have officially concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA), aiming to sign the deal later this year,

ASEAN education ministers agree on joint statement on student dropout

The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges"

ASEAN reaffirms commitment to advancing green energy agenda

The 43rd ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME), held from June 16–18, marked a significant milestone as member states reached consensus on key strategic agendas

Indonesia to start operating first ocean power plant in 2028

The project is planned to be developed in two phases with each phase of 20 MW in East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara.

ASEAN identified as strategic partner of Argentina

In 2023, trade turnover between Argentina and ASEAN exceeded 9 billion USD, with Argentina

Leaders extend congratulations on Russia Day

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and State President Luong Cuong on June 12 cabled their messages of congratulations to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of Russia Day (June 12, 1990).

Indonesia aims to stop corn imports in 2026

President Prabowo noted that in 2024, the country imported around 500,000 tonnes of corn.

Enterprise - Brand

Company Social Media Net

Company VIETNAMNAY

Company HANEL MIROLIN

Company Keangnam - vina

Company HP Travel

Company Keloph