Ayalon to resign from gov't: If Barak wants my portfolio he can have it

By ELIE LESHEM
Minister-without-Portfolio Ami Ayalon on Wednesday said that he would resign from the cabinet in the wake of criticism of his decision to hold on to his seat despite having left Labor. "Since the state's inception it is customary for a transition government to function until Election Day in order to maintain governmental stability," a statement from Ayalon's office said. However, the statement continued, "if Ehud Barak, whose request prompted Ami Ayalon to accept the job, needs the portfolio, Ayalon will give it up and tender his resignation from the government."