Peres threatens to quit government

Labor Party primaries (Footage: Yaron Brenner, Danny Dagan)  

"If there are no changes, we will have to reach our own conclusions," Peres told Ynet in an exclusive interview.

He added that several renowned rabbis have telephoned their blessings during his campaign.

"It's preferable for me to be out of the government, because when I'm in it I make many concessions," he told Ynet. "I don't want to fall victim because to a technicality, but I want to discuss changing the government's policies with the prime minister."

Peres wasted no time after casting his vote in Ramat Aviv suburb of north Tel Aviv, and he set out to rally support around the country, meeting with political figures and party activists.

He visited a voting station in Givatayim and ate lunch with Ehud Barak at Kibbutz Shfaim.

"After I'm chosen, I will request a meeting with the prime minister to discuss he government's agenda,  and to demand changes in  the government's conduct and objectives," said Peres during a campaign stop in Ramat Gan.

Peres voting in Ramat Aviv             (Photo: Yaron Brenner)

"I am not satisfied with the government's conduct. They are not following the coalition guidelines," he added.

According to Peres, "Bibi Netanyahu left the government and they have kept his anti-social polities. It's not acceptable, and the government is not answering problems of violence and corruption that are worrying the country and the citizens."

'Sharon's approach is unacceptable'

He also sent a clear message to the prime minister, saying: "I don't find Sharon's approach acceptable, where he believes that if there is terror, negotiations with the Palestinians are not held. Both of these things must be dealt with at the same time."

Are you setting Sharon an ultimatum? "I'm cautious of giving ultimatums. A party doesn't give ultimatums to another party, but I am saying that if these things are not advanced, there is no reason to be in the government," said Peres.

He also added that the Likud faced a moment of decision, while Labor will have already taken its decision tonight.

"I believe that Labor can recover. In the last 3 -4 years, it has been exhausted, and there have been constant leadership challenges. We have had enough of that."

Responding to a question on whether he thought he would receive support from senior party figures should he win the election, Peres said, "my friends won't have a choice but stand behind me. In the Middle East, if you're invited to lunch, it means that you're either invited, or you're on the menu, I know what I prefer and I'm not edible."

Peres was amused by recent efforts to cancel the primaries.

"Nothing important can be done without difficulties. These are human affairs. There are people who are jealous of me, their jealousy eats them up."

The Labor party Chairman dished out compliments to his surprising new partner, Ehud Barak.

"Barak's resignation has had a significant effect on the dynamics in the party, first of all in the way he did it – without deals and negotiations. Ehud read the map correctly and his announcement was not a surprise to me."

With that, however, Peres added: "Barak exaggerated in his estimation of Peretz's power."

The Labor Chairman also criticized the "cult of power in the press which is a little embarrassing even for some of the journalists. They've lost their sense of shame. There is no criticism, no reservations, as if everything is fine. The press ignoring the weakness of the government."