As head of the Labor Party[edit]

After winning back the leadership of the Labor party, Barak was sworn in as Mini
ster of Defense on 18 June 2007, as part of Prime Minister Olmert's cabinet resh
uffle. However, on 1 July 2007, Barak led a successful effort in the Labor centr
al committee to stipulate that Labor would leave the government coalition if Olm
ert did not resign by September or October 2007. At that time the Winograd Commi
ssion would publish its final report on the performance of the Israel Defense Fo
rces and its civilian leadership. The preliminary Winograd report released earli
er this year laid most of the blame on Olmert for poorly planning, executing, an
d reviewing war strategies in the 2006 conflict against Hezbollah.[19]
From December 2008 to January 2009, Barak led Operation Cast Lead.[20]
Labor won only 13 out of the 120 Knesset seats in the 2009 elections, making the
m the fourth largest party. Barak and other Labor officials initially stated the
y would not take part in the next government. However, over the objections of so
me in the Labor party, Barak later[when?] reached an agreement under which Labor
joined the governing coalition. Barak retained his position as Defense Minister
.
Leaving the Labor Party[edit]
In January 2011, Labor Party leader Barak formed a breakaway party, Independence
, which enabled him to maintain his loyal Labor's MK faction within Netanyahu's
government, and prevented the departure of Labor party as a whole from Netanyahu
's coalition-government. Labor previously threatened to force Barak to do so. Af
ter Barak's move, Netanyahu was able to maintain a majority of 66 MK (out of 120
in the Knesset), previously having 74 MKs within his majority coalition.
In February 2011, Barak attended a ceremony at the UN for the International Day
of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Barak told the UN Ge
neral Assembly: "an independent, strong, thriving and peaceful State of Israel i
s the vengeance of the dead. On this day, when we remember the six million victi
ms, let us also remember two lessons: first, 'the Holocaust
never again.' And seco
nd an independent, strong, thriving and peaceful State of Israel is the vengeance
of the dead."[21]
In 2012, Barak's Independence party was due to run for election but decided not
to, choosing to quit politics. Barak planned to quit since Operation Pillar of D
efense and the Gaza War but postponed it till later that year.[22]
Barak stated during an American television interview that he would "probably" st
rive for nuclear weapons if he were in Iran's position, adding "I don't delude m
yself that they are doing it just because of Israel". This comment has been crit
icized and compared to Barak's comment in 1998 during a television interview whe
n he said that if he were a Palestinian he would probably have joined one of the
terror organizations.[23]
Wealth[edit]
In an interview with Haaretz reported in January 2015, Barak was asked to explai
n the source of his "big" capital, with which he "bought 5 apartments and connec
ted them," and by which he "lives in a giant rental apartment in a luxury high r
ise." Barak said he currently earns more than a million dollars a year, and that
from 2001-7, he also earned more than a million dollars every year, from giving
lectures and from consulting for hedge funds. Barak also said he made millions
of dollars more from his investments in Israeli real estate properties.[24]
In the interview, Barak was asked whether he is a lobbyist that earns a living f
rom "opening doors." The interviewer stated "You have arrived recently at the Ka
zakhstan despot Nazarbayev and the president of Ghana. You are received immediat
ely." Barak confirmed that he has been received by these heads of state but deni

ed earning money from opening doors for international business deals for Israeli
and foreign corporations, and said he does not see any ethical or moral problem
s in his business activities. He further said there is no logic to demand of him
, after "the natural process in democracy has ended" to not utilize the tools he
accumulated in his career to secure his financial future. When asked if his fin
ancial worth is 10-15 million dollars, Barak said "I'm not far from there."[24]
References in popular culture[edit]
The film Munich includes a scene reflecting the real Barak's experience leading
his Sayeret Matkal unit in the commando raid Operation Spring of Youth; he is me
ntioned by name, and appears disguised as a woman in high heels while firing on
presumed PLO Leaders.[25]