MK Eitan Cabel, who for the past four years served as the secretary of the Labor Party, has announced his resignation on Tuesday in a surprise move.

Party leader Ehud Barak dismissed Cabel over his refusal to back down from the party�s rebel faction, which remains adamant in its opposition to Barak�s leadership decisions. The party leaders met and backed Barak�s decision, but a second meeting is scheduled, possibly to reconsider the move.

In an unexpected move, Cabel preempted and announced his resignation, a move that further highlights the divided camp within the party.

Cabel served as party secretary under three leaders, Shimon Peres, Amir Peretz and Ehud Barak.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)