Yachimovich Wins Fight To Lead Labor Party

By Forward Staff September 21, 2011

Shelly Yachimovich, a former reporter, has won the leadership of Israel’s Labor Party, beating ex-union leader Amir Peretz, Israeli TV reported.

The TV station said initial results in a party primary early Thursday showed 54% for Yachimovich and 45% for Peretz, with official results expected later in the day.

Labor dominated Israeli politics for Israel’s first three decades as an independent state. But it has become marginalized and now holds only eight out of 120 seats in the Knesset.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unlikely to face new elections for at least two years.

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