Ehud Barak, a much-decorated former general who has pledged to revive the Middle East peace process, swept to a landslide victory in Israeli national elections yesterday over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud party. A protégé of the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Barak has presented himself as heir to the assassinated leader’s legacy, vowing to pursue a final peace settlement with the Palestinians, reach agreements with Israel’s Arab neighbors, and slow the growth of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Arab pleasure at the defeat of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was strongly tempered today by warnings the policies of his successor remain largely unknown. Syria, a key to regional peace, called on Barak to break with previous policies. He must then “play his peace cards swiftly, if he has any,” and make his intentions clear. This according to the official Syria Times, a quote. The most optimistic views, from Egyptians, whose country has a peace treaty with Israel, were countered by concerns the former army commander, Barak, would take an uncompromising position in peace talks. Qatar’s daily newspaper said, “Netanyahu’s defeat should not make us over-optimistic, as Barak has not presented in his speeches and statements anything different to Netanyahu.” It went on to say, “Barak’s win will not mean anything for the Arabs and their causes if it is not translated into truthful intentions and a real move to end tensions in the region.”
Landslide Victory for Barak in Israeli National Elections
HeadlineMay 18, 1999