“Israeli” Labor Party Falling Apart: Barak Quits, More Ministers Expected to Quit

"Israeli" War Minister Ehud Barak quits on Monday his Labor party, a key member of the ruling coalition, and announces the creation of a new party, media reports said.

Barak and four other Labor MPs, including Agriculture Minister Shalom Simchon and deputy war minister Matan Vilnai, were expected to set up a new party called "Independence," major "Israeli" TV and radio stations reported.

He was expected to formally announce the move at a press conference at the Knesset, or parliament, later Monday morning.

It was not immediately clear whether the other Labor MPs would remain in the coalition following Barak's departure.

There have been sharp divisions within the party in recent months over Labor's role in the largely rightwing coalition which has failed in its efforts to further peace talks with the Palestinians.

Two other Labor ministers, Minorities Minister Avishai Braverman and Social Affairs Minister Yitzhak Herzog, are both intending to resign in the wake of the announcement, the radio said.