Defense Minister Ehud Barak harshly criticized the charter of the newly formed Yesh Atid party, saying it holds more authority than that of Syria´s Baath party.

The party´s charter states that only its chairman, Yair Lapid, can decide whose name appears on its Knesset list and in what order, and was roundly criticized by other politicians for perpetuating inequality and lacking constitutionality.

"You read the charter and it turns out - I´m not sure the Baath party has so much authority," said Barak, who is also chairman of the Atzmaut (Independence) faction, which he officially launched in May 2011.

Barak also spoke of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert´s involvement in Lapid´s party, saying, "When I see… the guidance of the Olmert group I instantly become worried."

He also mentioned Labor head Shelly Yachimovich. "Her positions are way to the left," said Barak.

The Atzamut chairman also accused former Shin Bet security service head Yuval Diskin of arrogance, after the latter criticized Barak´s policy on Iran. "I am not an expert in agriculture and metabolism," Barak said, "[but] there are bodily fluids that, when they reach certain wrong places… suddenly [people] quote from the prophets."

Barak was referring to comments made by Diskin and former Mossad chief Meir Dagan, who warned that Barak and Prime Ministed Benjamin Netanyahu are not worthy of leading the country. "I don´t believe in a leadership that makes decisions based on messianic feelings," he said. (© Copyright 2012 Ha´aretz 05/07/12)