The largely mellow race for the Labor party chairmanship culminated with a surprising upset early Friday morning, when MK Isaac (Buji) Herzog unseated party leader Shelly Yachimovich. According to party officials, Herzog garnered 58.5% of the vote to Yachimovich's 40.5%.
Herzog, who as the new party leader is poised to be the party's nominee for prime minister in the next general election, replaces Yachimovich as opposition leader two years after she defeated him to become party leader. Herzog has been one of Yachimovich's most vociferous critics following the party's disappointing showing in the Jan. 22 general election, when it won only 15 seats. He also took issue with her decision to stay out of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Speaking in Tel Aviv after the official election results were announced, Herzog said Israel was now at "a unique juncture in history." Referring to the talks between the West and Iran, Herzog said that "fates are now being sealed in one of the most crucial challenges facing Israel," and noted that the negotiations were being held against the backdrop of a renewed peace process with the Palestinians.
"Only if we make brave moves in the latter [the Palestinian issue] will we be able to progress in the former [the Iranian issue]. I have doubts as to whether Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu understands this," Herzog said.
"We are going to be a big party that will challenge the leadership of the country. I am honored and excited to lead Labor. I am well aware of the immense responsibility; I am standing where giants stood before. I can't do this alone, and I won't do this alone. ... We are going to cooperate for the sake of the country and the party."
Herzog touted the diversity of the party, and promised, "I won't let you down." He vowed to fight the government until Labor returned to power, changed its policies towards Israel's neighbors and redefined its socio-economic priorities.
"There are more and more layoffs; the country must move towards a better, more just situation," he said. "Maybe this is the moment for Labor. This is our calling now. Israeli politics needs bridge-building. We start the journey today. We will present alternative to the Right. We will be the middle class's home."
Yachimovich called the race several months ago in the hope that the condensed schedule would prevent Herzog from organizing a successful campaign. By setting an early date, Herzog could not rely on newly registered party members, since the right to vote in the party primaries is limited only to those who have been registered in the party for at least six months.
Herzog emerged as the clear winner only toward 3 a.m. on Friday morning, having established a sizeable lead. Yachimovich conceded the election on Facebook, shortly after calling Herzog on Friday morning.
"I wished him all the best and told him that I accept the democratic outcome and that this race was fair and square, and that I will help him strengthen the party and turn it into an alternative to Netanyahu's right-wing agenda on the economy and on the world stage," she wrote on Facebook.
"My friends, we are winning, we won!" Herzog said on his Facebook page on Friday, shortly after the scales tipped in his favor. "Shelly Yachimovich called me several minutes ago and congratulated me on my election. Shelly told me that she would report for duty to help the party return to power. I thanked her and told her what I said over the past several days -- that I see her as a key partner who has an important role to play in making the party a success. My friends, this is only the beginning. Today we embark on the real journey to transform the country."
President Shimon Peres called Herzog early Friday morning, telling him that "as Labor party chairman, you have immense responsibility. You must provide the best service to the state and the nation. I wish you all the best." Herzog thanked Peres, saying, "It was a great honor to be congratulated by you; I am now assuming an important role as the party chairman, a position you once held."
Meretz Chairwoman MK Zehava Gal-On was one of first MKs to react to Herzog's election. "I call on the newly elected Labor leader to stay in the opposition," she said. Finance Minister and Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid also congratulated Herzog, saying he was "an old friend -- I am very happy for him on his victory."
According to Army Radio, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni congratulated Herzog and called on him to join her in the government. "Labor must make a decision," she said. "Does it stay on the viewing stand or does it go on stage and lead-"
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