Rabin's son: I'll vote Kadima
After his father's name became an election campaign and goading tool between Kadima and Labor Party, late PM's son tells Ynet just before boarding plane from Washington to Israel, 'I support Ehud Olmert, as well as Kadima'
“The last time I spoke about this was before Kadima was established and (Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon was healthy. I said then that I would consider supporting if Sharon forms a party. Since then I said nothing to no one. Today I support Olmert and Kadima,” Rabin said.
Over the last few days, many politicians have been mentioning and praising Yitzhak Rabin. The late prime minister became an election campaign and goading tool, especially between Labor leader Amir Peretz and Kadima’s number 2 Shimon Peres.
Rabin the son, who boarded a plane from Washington to Israel Sunday evening, will land in Ben-Gurion International Airport on Monday to fulfill his democratic right to vote and take side in the political game.
In a conversation with Ynet, Rabin was willing to explain why he plans to support Kadima, but refused to state his opinion on the conflict that recently erupted between Peres and Peretz, after the latter accused Peres of being Kadima’s fig leaf on the matter of Rabin’s murder and his legacy.
“In principle, I don’t want to get involved in the argument that arose in the Israeli media Sunday regarding my father’s memory. On this matter also, I plan to look forward, not back. On these issues, the subject was more acute with Sharon than it is with Olmert, and even then I was willing to support Sharon,” he said.
"The people leading Kadima definitely found a way to create hope and propose a way I consider to be right. I don't know if it's the ideal way, but first of all it's a way, something that has been lacking here two-three years ago. There is also an operative capability here, and an offer for a better future," he stated.
According to Rabin, he has already met with Olmert in the past, and in a telephone conversation he informed him that he backs him and his party.
Despite his support for Kadima, Rabin junior refused to attack his political home.
"I will not say a bad word about the Labor party," he stressed. "They have a good and impressive list of candidates, but I believe there should be a stable government for a change, compiled of one large body. It appears Kadima has a better chance of leading the country," he explained.
Kadima, Labor clash over Rabin
The confrontation between Kadima and Labor began Sunday morning, after Peres was quoted as questioning Amir Peretz's political record.
In response, Peretz lashed out at his former party member and said: "Many of Kadima's members were a part of the incitement campaign against former Prime Minister Rabin before his assassination, and Peres is being used as a fig leaf for the crate of rotten apples that paved the way for that despicable murder."
Peres' associates responded by saying Peretz's words were "odd and attesting to inexperience." They said that "Peretz had better tone down his statements and remember he sat in the same government with those people and that they aided him in gaining control over the Labor Union Federation."
Kadima member and former Shin Bet head Avi Dichter added that "such blatant and unforgivable statement shows the Labor has lost its wits, because they know they are going to lose."
