Shimon Peres sworn in
Photo: GPO
Right man at the right time
Never before in Israel has there been such yearning for what Peres represents
Shimon Peres was sworn into the presidential office
on Sunday and realized a lifetime aspiration through resolve and perseverance: He gained recognition. Not only recognition for a man who could always see the entire picture and not only the parts that made up the whole, but recognition for everything he has ever done for the State – things that were not always understood in advance and generally preceded his time, presenting him in Israeli eyes as an man of illusions and a daydreamer.
When serving as defense minister he visited the troops wearing a military windbreaker; he looked out of place, like a caricature of a general. But he insisted on this attire, because it was his dream. Perhaps the fact that he always wanted to be someone he couldn't ever become stood in his way. The man born as Shimon Persky yearned to be Dan Ben Amotz, and he made such an effort that he was perceived by many as a fake. This is where the lack of credibility attributed to him was born: The ridiculous, rather pathetic desire to be someone else.
Peres won. The man who never donned a uniform for a day in his life contributed to Israel's defense perhaps more than all the generals that have come and gone. His diction was never that of a native-born Israeli, he never had that typical Sabra forelock blowing in the wind, and he hummed Israeli folk songs with a heavy Polish accent.
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During the worst times in his relationship with late Yitzhak Rabin he would say, almost whisper, "That's no big deal, for Yitzhak everything comes easily."
His bitterness became his shadow. Even when he presented plans with lofty visions, his listeners were ill at ease: Instead of focusing on the subject, he would shroud it in expressions of self pity. "Why do I deserve this?" Each time he was not understood, not backed, unrewarded. If he hadn't been immersed in bitterness his recognition may have come earlier.
The world always applauded him before Israel. The world recognized him as a fitting leader, vibrant and creative, while in Israel he had to contend with tomatoes hurled at him in election meetings and the rumblings about an Arab mother he never had.
Dreams and revolutions
But now the recognition has come, the sobriety, the desire to give him what he deserved all his life and only received in bits and pieces. Shimon Peres is now Israel's number one citizen because of all the things the public as a whole could not digest throughout the years: He is different, exceptional and he can see 40 steps ahead of anyone else. He is not just "a phoenix" (the biography "Just like a Phoenix" by Michael Bar-Zohar), he is an eccentric one at that.
Now that he has reached a ripe old age, we are becoming more acutely aware that his peculiarities are our gift. David Ben-Gurion was the first to understand Peres' complexity, and appointed Peres as Defence Ministry director-general when he was just 29. If Peres had been made of the familiar fabric of a general, it would be hard to imagine Israel having its current power of deterrence today - thanks to the plant he founded in Dimona.
Only a relentless dreamer could have led Israel to Oslo. Although the content of these agreements has dissipated over the years, their achievement lies in their breaking of taboos: Peres instilled into public awareness the notion that we must engage in dialogue with our enemies. Particularly the worst of them.
Peres will bring his blessed activity to the presidential residence; the lights in his office will glare long into the night, he will convene brainstorming sessions and will present plans for the advancement of the State and glorification of its name. He will bring with him his dreams and revolutions. He will not suffice with ceremonious marching on the red carpet. Peres has come to work. His personal history testifies that he does not intend to do this quietly.
Never before in Israel has there been such yearning for what Peres represents. He is indeed the right man, but more so – he came at the right time: At a time when Israel has no leader and has lost its faith in its leadership. Peres received belated recognition, and now, after the arduous journey, after placing the heavy stone on the mountain peak, he will compensate all of us by the actual fact that a man such as he is willing to be there.
Orly Azoulay is the author of the book 'Shimon Peres: The man who didn't know how to win'
