Peretz not going anywhere
Photo: Niv Calderon
Peretz: Won't hang up on peace, Abbas
Defense minister defends himself against critics at Labor meeting, says doesn't intend to give up position, promises to get Welfare Minister's position for Labor
Defense Minister Amir Peretz,
at a Labor party conference Thursday evening, said that based on his agreement with the prime minister, "if United Torah Judaism doesn't take the Welfare Minister position, we will receive it, in exchange for another cabinet position."
"I promise that next week, I'll get the position from the prime minister and decide who will fill it," he added.
Peretz attacked critics, saying "I see my civic duty as a top priority. If there's something that's irresponsible, it's attacks against me both from without and within, because they hurt national morale."
He added that he was "quite surprised" to hear of potential candidates to replace him in the post of defense minister, because, "both in the north and south, someone fell asleep and…no one said that extreme measures were needed."
"I have no intention of hanging up of hope, or on the president of the Palestinian Authority, if I know it will bring new hope. I'm responsible for more than proper shooting regulations." he declared.
Peretz also said: "I intend to continue to invest in the defense establishment, the IDF, to support the commander, the IDF Chief of General Staff and the soldiers, and to increase morale."
"This campaign of slander has crossed boundaries, party lines and interests, from Gaydamak to cabinet ministers. I want it to be clear to all involved in trying to delegitimize me: In every position, the first year or two started out in crisis, but ended with a strong system," he stated.
"Make no mistake," he added. "The fact that I'm a man of peace doesn't change my stance on terror. I'll reach out for peace, but fight with all my might against anything that harms Israeli children."
