Peretz. Separated himself
צילום: גיל יוחנן
Labor's Peretz, Ben-Eliezer reconcile
Two former party chairmen meet in MK Marciano's house in bid to end conflict which began during Peretz's tenure as defense minister
Former Labor Party chairman, Knesset Member Amir Peretz, met Monday evening with Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer after a long period of tension.
Ynet has learned that the two met at home of MK Yoram Marciano in Lod, in a bid to iron out the difficulties between them.
The conflict between Peretz and Ben-Eliezer began during the former's tenure as Labor chairman and defense minister. During that time, Ben-Eliezer, a former Labro chairman himself, had slammed Peretz in closed forums, accusing him of causing great damage to the party and making harsh remarks against his leadership.
During the Labor Party primary elections, when Ben-Eliezer was one of the people in charge of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak's campaign, the disagreements between the two turned into a deep rift.
MK Marciano mediated between the two and organized the meeting Monday evening in an attempt to restore the bad relations between the two.
Every since losing to Barak in the primaries, Peretz has separated himself from Chairman Barak and from the entire Labor faction.
Peretz's meeting with Ben-Eliezer was aimed at restoring his relations with the other faction members and perhaps even with Barak himself. The former defense minister has said in the past that he is ready to meet with Barak anytime and in anyplace and take part in strengthening the party.
Marciano is now trying to arrange a meeting between Peretz and Barak.
