Despite interior opponents and contradiction, Labor Party Central Committee voted in favor of chairman Ehud Barak's coalition bid on Tuesday to enter the Israeli coalition led by Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu's coalition, lately joined by rightist Yisrael Beiteinu and Shas, might see Labor as a vital partner which could definitely soften the hardline figure of the new government.

Bountiful deal

It is no doubt that a broad balanced coalition, composed by Israeli right as well as left wings, can enjoy more popularity and credibility both in domestic and international arena.

Ahead of the vote Tuesday evening at Tel Aviv's Exhibition Grounds, Barak announced to members of the Central Committee that Labor should do good to the country by showing more flexibility.

The Labor leader rejected claims that he was motivated by selfish interests, saying that his only priority is the welfare of the country. "I am not chasing after any position," he said.

But who wouldn't say so while being offered a bountiful deal?

Under clauses in the deal being drafted by Barak and Netanyahu on Tuesday morning, Likud promised that Labor will receive five ministers' posts including Defense, Industry, Trade and Labor, Agriculture, Welfare and Social Services. Labor will also be granted two deputy ministers, as well as the chairmanship of a Knesset (parliament) committee.

As to the diplomatic and peace issues, Israeli new government would work towards the formation of a comprehensive regional arrangement for peace and for economic cooperation in the Middle East. It also stipulates that Israel would be committed to all national and international agreements that were signed by former Israeli governments.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak will be a full partner in the diplomatic process and will be a partner in any limited forum aimed at making decisions in the diplomatic, security and economic fields.

Israeli government will also enforce the law with regards to illegal West Bank outposts, the draft states, as well as illegal Palestinian construction.

According to statistics reported by Jerusalem Post on its website, 58 percent of the Labor Central Committee members attended the convention voted in favor of the deal while 42 percent voted against it.

The latest negotiations between Labor and Likud were launched on Monday, aiming at bridging the differences and finalizing the remaining issues in the coalition negotiations.

Netanyahu had struck coalition deals with the ultra-Orthodox Shas party and with the Yisrael Beiteinu party led by ultranationalist Avigdor Lieberman. With Labor's 13 seats, Likud would secure in total a majority of 66 in the 120-seat Knesset.

In a speech before the vote, Barak vowed that Labor would have a significant position in the coalition.

"I am not afraid of Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu. We won't be anyone's fig leaf or anyone's third wheel," the Labor leader was quoted as saying.

"We will act as an opposing force that will prevent the creation of a narrow right-wing government, but rather a proper government that cares for the state of Israel," Barak said.

Last month, Barak had publicly ruled out joining the coalition, stressing his stance to remain in the opposition against Likud.

Rift remains

Israeli Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer, who spoke following the announcement of the voting results, said he and Barak were grateful to those Labor members who supported the move to join the coalition.

Ben Eliezer expressed confidence that party members would "march together tomorrow."

However, it was widely expected earlier that rift might deepen among the two sides in Labor no matter what results would emerge in deciding the party's future.

Seven out of Labor's 13 legislators in the Knesset stayed against the draft deal, warning that the traditional center-left party was losing its value once it became part of Hawkish Netanyahu's government.

"What killed us over the last decade is the fact that we lost faith in our path," said Labor Secretary-General Eitan Cabel, one of the vocal opposition to Barak's move.

"We have turned into the far right-wing party National Union of the secular sector. We always affect change from within, and slowly we are dying," Cabel continued, adding that "those who support the coalition deal with Likud are looking to crush their home."

Member of Knesset from Labor Ophir Paz-Pines denounced the coalition deal as a blatant attempt to throw sand in the eyes of both the public and Labor Central Committee members.

"They're trying to buy us off with portfolios and empty promises," he said.

Meanwhile, key Labor member Isaac Herzog insisted his support to the deal.

"A far-right government could push us to the brink of catastrophe," he said. "If it was possible for a government to be formed in which we could have a truly dramatic influence over all aspects, then I would want to be there and think that my party will not be damaged as a result," he noted.

"I believe the agreement will have a dramatic impact on the way Israel will be governed in the coming years," he added.