Peretz refuses to ride Mercedes

Labor Chairman Amir Peretz refuses to ride lavish armored Mercedes-Benz, provided to him for security purposes, threatens to resign post as opposition head if car not replaced with more modest model
Attila Somfalvi

Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz, who has positioned himself in the public eye as a simple and popular leader, recently encountered a dilemma: As opposition chairman Peretz is obligated to ride an armored car for his own protection.

 

The problem is that the reinforced vehicle offered to him is a luxurious Mercedes-Benz, which Peretz believes contradicts his popular image. 

Peretz's Mercedes. Too Lavish?  (Photo: Yoav Galay)

 

Associates close to Peretz threatened Tuesday that the leader may resign his post as opposition chairman if he is forced to continue using the vehicle.

 

The ordeal started when Peretz learned that after his election as opposition head he would have to travel under heavy security and ride an armored car.

 

The socialist leader complained that the tight security disrupts his daily routine, and demanded from the Knesset security

chief that he be provided with another car, not as lavish as the Cadillac, Chevrolet or Mercedes-Benz he had been given.

 

If he is not allotted a simpler car, sources say he will quit his position as head of the opposition.

 

A Knesset official said in response that "the issue is not under the authority of the Knesset. The Shin Bet is in charge of armored cars, and it appears that Peretz's car will be replaced."