NEW : He said he wo n't contest the elections . PLO official : ` ` I hope this is recognition of the futility of the military approach in ... dealing with the Palestinians '' Ehud Barak says he wants to spend more time with his family . Despite promises of a new election , he says he will n't contest the elections due in 2009 . His decision came after a lethal conflict with Hamas in Gaza .
NEW : PLO official : ` ` I hope this is recognition of the futility of the military approach in ... dealing with the Palestinians '' Ehud Barak says he wants to spend more time with his family . Despite promises of a new election , he says he will n't contest the elections due in 2009 . His decision came after a lethal conflict with Hamas in Gaza .