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Photo: Gil Yohanan
President Shimon Peres
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Source: Peres to promote peace process after retirement

Nearing end of term, sources say Peres intends to stay 'active, influential' in political arena, but not in political office. President expected to stay involved in State's diplomatic process

Shimon Peres does not intend to run for prime minister or extend his tenure as president, and denies any insinuations of such pursuits, but according to reports the Israeli president, who celebrated his 90th birthday this year, will stay in the political arena.

 

Peres has long-term plans. Officials with the Presidential Residence refused to address the issue of Peres' future, but sources privy to the president's plans noted he intended to be "very active and very influential."

 

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Peres, observing the faltering peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, intends to get more involved in the State's diplomatic process. He will not say so at this point, but he is extremely disappointed with the way negotiations with the Palestinians are held and is especially concerned about Israel's status in the eyes of the international community.

 

Following his retirement from the presidential post, Peres will work diligently, sources said, to promote the peace process and unite the national center-left bloc in hopes of becoming the majority of the next government.

 

Though trying to steer clear of expressing his opinion on sensitive issues to avoid allegations of abusing his status, the president has opposed Israeli military action in Iran and supported PA President Mahmoud Abbas as the right partner for potential peace accords.

 

Edelstein, Peres and Netanyahu at Knesset plenum. Intends to 'stay active' (Photo: Gil Yohanan) (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Edelstein, Peres and Netanyahu at Knesset plenum. Intends to 'stay active' (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

 

Nowadays, Peres is worried that the not-so-great relations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama might compromise the diplomatic ties between the two nations and hinder the American public's support of Israel.

 

The Peres Center for Peace is expected to focus more on foreign affairs once the president retires, and Peres is expected to form as an ambassador of good will and promote investments in the Middle East with the OECD.

 

It has also been reported that Peres would work to set up a new hospital in Jaffa that will recruit new doctors and form as a virtual diagnostic center for patients across the globe, especially Arab nations.

 

 

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פרסום ראשון: 12.31.13, 19:07
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