Shimon Peres eyeing presidency again?
Vice Premier, Shas spiritual leader discuss ‘successful attacks on hundreds of Hizbullah members’; MKs say meeting also held to examine possibility party would support Peres’ candidacy for president
Vice Premier Shimon Peres met on Monday afternoon with the spiritual leader of Shas, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, and updated him on a variety of topics. The two spoke about "the situation in Lebanon and Israel's achievements in the war, including the successful attacks on hundreds of Hizbullah members, the deployment of a multinational army and the arms embargo," as was reported from Peres' office.
Peres also updated the rabbi about the development of the Galilee and the Negev. In the political system, some see Peres' meeting with Rabbi Ovadia as an opportunity for Peres to run for president.
Senior sources in Shas confirmed that Peres is the one who asked to meet with the rabbi. Some members of government estimate that is Peres had a substantial amount of support for becoming president, he would not refuse. Shas was the one who previously "betrayed" Peres and "appointed" in his place the current president, Moshe Katsav. The latter may have to resign soon after being suspected of committing sexual crimes.
Until now, Peres avoided officially announcing his application for the role of president. Two Knesset members are already unofficially working for his election. They are Speaker of the Knesset Dalia Itzik and Meretz Chairman Yossi Beilin. Ynet was informed that Itzik spoke to Israel Our Home Chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman to find out his position on the matter. Beilin spoke with the members of Arab factions in order to see if they would support Peres' candidacy.
'Bid the political system farewell'
Sources close to Peres said behind closed doors that he does not have a strong enough support system in the Knesset as only a few Labor members still back his candidacy and many in Kadima are not committed to him either.
Several Kadima officials criticized Peres for meeting with Rabbi Yosef, as did some members of the Left.
“Perhaps Shimon believes that becoming president will allow him to live out his passions – meetings with presidents and having cocktails with heads of state,” one official said.
Another official from the Left said “with all due respect, a man of his age and status must realize that there comes a time to say ‘I did my part,’ and bid the political system farewell.”
The Vice Premier’s Office said “despite Shas members’ claims the meeting was not held in order to examine the possibility that the party would support Peres’ candidacy for president but rather to update the rabbi on State-related issues.
Attila Somfalvi contribute to the report
