Peres tells Peretz he won't be joining forces with Sharon
צילום: ירון ברנר
Peres: I’m not joining Sharon
Vice Premier Shimon Peres decides to stay in Labor party for time being despite speculation he was planning to join Prime Minister Sharon’s new list in wake of recent Labor primaries loss
Not joining Sharon: Shimon Peres has informed Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz he will not be joining Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new party, despite speculation that the vice premier was planning to bolt Labor.
Peretz’s aides described the meeting as fruitful and relaxed, with both men agreeing to meet in the very near future. The two reportedly discussed ways in which Peres can continue serving the interests of the State, the Labor party, and the peace process.
“I don’t need a guaranteed spot (on Labor’s Knesset list) - I’ll run for my seat in Knesset,” Peres told reporters. When asked what he intends to do, he replied that he will work to advance the peace agenda in many forms, and not just from within a political party.
In a recent talk with Ynet, Peres hinted about his future move by saying he already left a party once with late Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, “but that’s it.”
“My vacation will end in the coming days,” he said at the time.
Earlier, Labor leader Peretz made an impassioned plea to Peres to remain in the party. In his victory speech after being elected as chairman, Peretz said: “Shimon, don’t leave us alone. I know this is a difficult political time for you but it could really be the most important time for the State of Israel.”
“Shimon, as opposed to others who turned to you in the past, I really do need you, I really do want you by my side,” Peretz said.
In recent days rumors surfaced suggesting Peres was planning to join PM Sharon’s new party and possibly be granted the 2nd or 3rd spot on the new list. However, Peres put the rumors to rest in his talk with Peretz.
