Labor chairman Amir Peretz
Photo: Doudou Bacher
Peretz to campaign in Russian
Labor chairman wants to reverse his unpopularity among immigrants from former Soviet Union ahead of elections
As part of his preparations for the upcoming general elections, Labor Party chairman Amir Peretz is taking intensive Russian classes, hoping to address immigrants from the former Soviet Union in their native language in the run-up to the general election.
And the newly elected Labor leader has good reasons to do so: many believe he is not particularly admired by immigrants from the former Soviet Union, whose votes have proved important in deciding the last two elections of 1996 and 1999.
Peretz visited his Russian teacher in the center of the country for two hours on Friday, and he is planning on keeping up the hard work. The ambitious Labor chairman wants to be able to chat with Russian immigrants in their own language within two months, Peretz aides told Ynet.
Recently conducted opinion polls show that many immigrants from the former Soviet Union agree with Peretz’ agenda, yet few are willing to vote for him.
“Peretz’ victory in the primaries slightly improved his popularity among immigrants,” a reporter for Russian affairs told Ynet.
“Other polls show that 70 percent of immigrants do not intend to vote Labor, despite that 54 percent said his election is good,” she said.
Peretz is problematic for many immigrants: “First, Russians are right wing, and he is not. Second there is his socialism. And he is Moroccan, what can we do?”
Sources in the Labor party said their chairman is aware of the stigmas Russian speaking immigrants have about both Labor and Amir Peretz himself. “Russians don’t like the moustache, the resemblance to Stalin and his connection to the Histadrut (Workers’ Union), all of which remind them of what they had back home,” they said.
“A direct appeal to them by Peretz in Russian will prove the importance he attaches to the immigrant community, and will help them judge him for his words and not stereotypes,” they added.
As of next week, Peretz needs to embrace for yet another adventure. As the chairman of the largest opposition party his personal security will be in the hand of Shin Bet bodyguards, a fact his associates say won’t be too straightforward. The idea of having two bodyguards seems to be causing the Labor chairman anxiety.
