Ehud Barak endorses Herzog: He can be trusted to deal with Israel's security
Joining Peres and other former leaders, former prime minister Barak says 'Israel's citizens can trust him to deal with any security challenge'
Former prime minister Ehud Barak announced Monday his support for Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog in Israel's upcoming election. Barak, who is also a former defense minister and IDF chief of staff, threw his military clout behind Herzog, saying he had the ability to deal with Israel's security needs.
"Israel's citizens can trust him to deal with any security challenge," said Barak, who holds the title of the most decorated soldier in IDF's history. "Isaac Herzog is a level-headed, experienced and responsible man. I worked closely with him when I led the government," Barak said.
"I witnessed him participate in the most sensitive of security and diplomatic briefings – and in the end he made decisions. He is also well respected by world leaders, many of whom met and spoke with him.
Herzog is currently leading on Netanyahu in the polls, but it is far from certain he will lead the next government, a process contingent on the support of the other parties in the Knesset and his ability to form a majority bloc on the basis of their support.
Barak joins a list of former leaders, especially those from the Labor party which is the larger half of the Zionist Union slate, who have endorsed Herzog in Tuesday's election.
The most recent and most prominent was undoubtedly Nobel peace prize laureate former president and prime minister Shimon Peres, who echoed Barak's words.
Peres wrote a few days ago that as Israel nears the day of elections, "it's natural for people to have different opinion and to vote according to their conscience. As for me – I supposed Herzog for prime minister.
"I have known Herzog and his family for many years, I've seen him up close filling senior positions with excellence and take part in debates and decisions that have great importance to Israel's future.
"He is a level-headed leader who maintains integrity, and is full of responsibility and dedication to the Israeli public," he said. "Herzog is fit for the role of prime minister and as a leader will know how to bridge gaps, and to join Israeli society in bonds of solidarity and hope."
Likud retaliated with its own statement. "Of course Peres, a pronounced leftist, supports Herzog and Livni – Peres is the architect of the Oslo Accords, enthusiastically supported the disengagement, and is devoted to the retreat from Judea and Samaria," read the statement.
"Only a vote for a large Likud and closing the gap between Likud and the Zionist Camp will prevent the establishment of a government of concessions and retreat that will allow a second terror state to be formed in the heart of Israel."
Itamar Eichner and Omer Benjakob contributed to this report
