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Photo: Yoav Dudkevitz
Amir Peretz
Photo: Yoav Dudkevitz

Amir Peretz announces intentions to run for Labor leadership

The most veteran member of Knesset, who headed the Labor party and served as defense minister during the Second Lebanon War, says he is 'the only candidate who can bring new voters to the center-left bloc' and promises 'social justice in practice' and 'return to the path of peace.'

MK Amir Peretz announced Monday his intentions to run for the head of the Labor party in the upcoming primary elections that will be held in half a year. 

 

 

"I am the only candidate who can bring new voters to the center-left bloc and bring to a change in government," Peretz said during a press conference he convened.

 

He went on to claim that he could bring back lost votes to the party. "I've proven before that I can give Netanyahu a run for his money and defeat him," he said.

 

Amir Peretz (Photo: Yoav Dudkevitz) (Photo: Yoav Davidkovich)
Amir Peretz (Photo: Yoav Dudkevitz)

 

Peretz, the most veteran member in the Knesset, was the head of the Labor party between November 2005 to June 2007, when he lost the leadership to Ehud Barak.

 

During his time as the head of Labor, the party won 19 Knesset seats in the 2006 elections, running on a social platform. But when he joined Ehud Olmert's government, he was appointed deputy prime minister and defense minister, drawing criticism.

 

During his time as defense minister, two Israeli soldiers were kidnapped by Hezbollah in the Golan Heights, which sparked the 34-day Second Lebanon War against the terror organization in 2006.

 

He resigned from the government after losing the party leadership to Barak and in September 2011 ran again, losing to Shelly Yachimovich.

 

In December 2012, he switched parties to Tzipi Livni's Hatnua and in February 2016, he returned to the Labor party.

 

Among the other positions Peretz held were the head of the Histadrut Labor Federation, the head of the opposition, the minister of environmental protection and the mayor of Sderot. He is also credited with pushing for the Iron Dome missile-defense project.

 

"I have the skills, the experience and the ability to lead Israeli society to internal healing and the country to a better future," he said during Monday's press conference.

 

"Leadership must be based on personal example. When we are at the helm of the government leading the country, Israeli society will heal and prosper. Israelis will hold their heads high with pride, and together we will put Israel back on the path of success," Peretz added.

 

He vowed to lead a policy of "social justice in practice," "return Israel to the path of seeking peace and a diplomatic accord, alongside security and might", and "wage an all-out war against poverty and inequality."

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.19.16, 13:28
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