JERUSALEM - Israel's Labour party is joining the incoming government of Benjamin Netanyahu, giving a centrist tone to a coalition that has looked completely hardline until now.
Ofer Eini, head of the Histadrut labour union and a senior party operative, tells Israel's Army Radio that the party's central committee has agreed to Netanyahu's partnership offer.
Army Radio reports the vote among party members was 680 in favour and 507 against.
Netanyahu has signed coalition agreements with Yisrael Beitenu and Shas, two parties known for their tough policy lines toward the Palestinians.
Labour, in contrast, has been in the forefront of Mideast peace efforts.
Netanyahu and his Likud party have also spoken out against a peace deal with the Palestinians, but have toned down that stance in recent weeks as they courted more moderate parties for the coalition.
