Labor leader to challenge Netanyahu in next election; ´Arrogance will cost him dearly,´ she says

Labor Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich announced Friday her intention to run for prime minister against incumbent leader Benjamin Netanyahu in the coming election.

"Under my leadership, the Labor Party has become the foremost alternative to Netanyahu," she said in an e-mail sent to supporters.

"Was Netanyahu destined to lead? No. It´s true, he is leading in the polls, but it wasn´t always this way, and it won´t always be this way… His arrogance, his smugness and the sin of hubris will cost him dearly," Yachimovich added. "He is a politician, and politics here are fickle and tempestuous. I will run against him for prime minister; we have the greatest chance of winning this difficult and important struggle for the future of the state."

The politician mentioned the Bank of Israel´s report on the country´s economy, claiming that the document is "an indictment" against Netanyahu over the policies he has implemented during his term.

A recent Yedioth Ahronoth poll asserted that while Yachimovich might be the primary beneficiary of Shaul Mofaz´ win in the Kadima primaries, Labor could win no more than 18 Knesset mandates in the next election – 11 House seats behind Likud. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 03/31/12)