Peres now

Labor party should put political considerations aside, back Peres' presidential bid

Ami Ayalon|Published: 03.26.07 , 18:33

In the Israeli democracy, the presidential institution and the person who heads it represent the people's unity. The post of president holds symbolic and representative significance and should be held by an impressive person who enjoys great sympathy from all strata of society.

This perception is reinforced at this time in face of the nadir faced by the presidential institution, as well as the lack of public faith in government systems overall.

One of the main factors that undermine the public's faith in the establishment is the sense that the Israeli leadership is tainted by corruption and prefers narrow considerations, both personal and political, over national considerations. At this time, we must thoroughly address this situation. We must show personal example and display leadership that prefers the good of the nation and the people over any narrow considerations.

Therefore, today we must do the right thing – show leadership and national responsibility. We must be attentive to the public's wish and back Shimon Peres, a national figure with a magnificent record who enjoys the public's overwhelming support and national consensus.

There is no doubt that Peres made a grave mistake when he decided to leave the Labor party in favor of Kadima. I am not ashamed to admit that I too regretted his departure and was even angry over it. In my view, Peres also erred when he refrained from throwing his weight against the government's conduct during the war – conduct which I harshly criticized.

Labor must show political wisdom

But even those mistakes by Peres do not annul all his achievements and rights. They do not prevent him from being a president who enjoys broad public support and appreciation and a loyal emissary on behalf of the Israeli public in the presidential institution.

Colette Avital is a candidate with many rights, both in the present and past. She is a worthy candidate to the post of president, both because of her own actions as well as the desire to prefer a woman for the job. Yet to my regret, today it is clear to everyone that Avital has no real chance to be elected, and her candidacy may only boost Reuven Rivlin's chances.

Under such circumnutates, we must not ignore the problem. As a responsible party, Labor must show political wisdom and back a candidate who has a chance to be elected.

In fact, this is no longer a choice between Colette Avital and Shimon Peres; it is a choice between Peres and Rivlin. The problem with Rivlin is not his party identity or some kind of flaw, but rather, the fact that during his tenure as Knesset speaker he proved that he is not always able to put his national post ahead of his personal views and choose that which unites over that which splits.

It is completely legitimate for a right-wing Knesset member to object to a move such as the disengagement, which in principle contradicts his personal and ideological positions. Yet it is not proper to express this objection in such an active manner while serving in a national post such as Knesset speaker.

Therefore, when it comes to this choice we must prefer Peres, a national figure with a splendid record who, as noted, enjoys overwhelming public support and national consensus.