You've got to know when to fold 'em

Histadrut labor federation Chairman Ofer Eini's surprise resignation Tuesday has evoked a flurry of speculations over what could have driven him to do so only two weeks before the Labor primaries. Party Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich felt it could be a sign of weakening ties between Eini and her rival, MK Isaac Herzog, but Herzog disagreed. Still, only the final tally of the votes two weeks from now will reveal who benefited the most from Eini's resignation.

Eini's decision to step down was clouded by suspicions that remain unfounded. A slew of politicians, mainly from Labor and what was formerly Kadima, rushed to explain that Eini has been expressing a desire to step down for a while now. His associates said he felt he had "exhausted" his role and was "worn out," but until some proof is found to corroborate the misgivings clouding his move, there is no reason not to take Eini at his word -- that he simply felt it was time to move on.

Eini's 30-year career, which took him from the workers' union at the Israel Tax Authority to the chairmanship of the Histadrut, is riddled with both achievements and problems. While after eight years in office he has significantly increased the number of Histadrut members and cemented its position as the most powerful labor federation in Israel, his meteoric career has been plagued by rumors and innuendoes.

He is rumored to have pulled strings to ensure his spouse's senior position in the education system; that he was allegedly pushing for a former senior defense official to be named as Labor chairman, replacing Yachimovich and preventing Herzog from winning the slot; the he was a belligerent person who frequently locked horns with both Yachimovich and her predecessor Amir Peretz; and that he would lash out at people, using offensive language.

It is unclear whether this belligerent conduct, which was meant to intimidate the government as well as the managements in various factories, was actually successful. On the one hand, Eini never hesitated to issue aggressive threats, but on the other hand the Histadrut's conduct was, for the most part, responsible. He would flex the occasional muscle to bolster his political position, but would always remain businesslike and practical when it was time to compromise.

It is a shame, however, that he was never able to properly break away from the major workers' unions, which may have been the source of his strength, but were also the instigators of some of the economy's major crises.

It is fair to assume that Eini does not hold out much hope for Labor's future prospects and knows that his chances to top the national pyramid are slim. Stepping down at this time will cement his position as the man who led the Histadrut successfully for eight years, and only time will tell if he is able to cure himself of the bug of public life -- the need for public attention and celebrity, as well as actual participation in the national decision-making process.

There is one positive aspect to Eini's resignation: He has proven that one does not need to hold on to one's political seat for dear life, and that eight years are long enough. His resignation proves that one has to know when to leave, which is rare in Israel.

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