(Opposition Leader Shimon) Peres: Israel has 'Schwarzenegger government'

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 9 October 2003 | GIL HOFFMAN

[anotherview]

Oct. 9, 2003
Peres: Israel has 'Schwarzenegger government'
By GIL HOFFMAN

Labor Party Chairman Shimon Peres vowed Thursday to keep his party in the opposition, despite the void opening by the apparent National Religious Party defection from the coalition.

Peres denied reports that close associates of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had contacted him. He said that on the contrary, he intends to unify the opposition in an attempt to strengthen the fight against Sharon's government.

"The NRP can relax," Peres said. "We would never join a government that closes the door to any dialogue, whether outside [with the Palestinians] or inside [with striking workers]. Instead, we will continue concentrating on building the opposition, brick-by-brick."

In a meeting at the Knesset with the heads of opposition factions, Peres said Israel has a "Schwarzenegger government."

"The government is imitating Schwarzenegger, because they think that if they flex their muscles, people will support them. They have shown nothing but muscles with the Histadrut, with the Palestinians and with the Left," he said.

Peres's comments came in response to a fierce Sharon attack on the Left at an election rally for Likud municipal candidates in Bat Yam. The prime minister accused the Left of cooperating with Israel's enemies, ending any speculation that he intended to ask Peres to join the government any time soon.

"In these very days, Labor and the Left are engaging in a cynical political attempt to topple the government, using illegitimate means at a time when we find ourselves in a difficult battle against terror," Sharon said at the rally. "They won't stop at anything. There are even people coordinating activities with the Palestinians behind the government's back. This must be taken seriously. They did it in a time of war before, and now, too, they are cooperating with the Palestinians in a time of war."

Labor and Likud sources said Sharon was referring to the so-called "Swiss agreement," which former Labor Justice Minister Yossi Beilin and Palestinian minister Yasser Abbed-Rabbo are expected to finalize later this week in Jordan. Beilin and Abbed-Rabbo have been negotiating under Swiss auspices for months on a permanent settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute along the lines of discussions under way in the late days of the Clinton administration.

Several Labor Party officials maintain ongoing contact with Palestinian Authority officials. Labor MK Colette Avital has been working for weeks on organizing a meeting for the Labor faction with Palestinian legislators, led by former interior minister Hani Al-Hasan.

Peres said he could speak with whomever he wants, wherever and whenever he wants, without seeking the government's approval. He said Sharon was attempting to unify the Right at the expense of dividing the nation.

Opposition faction heads vowed to intensify their battle against Sharon. Shas chairman Eli Yishai said the opposition is more unified than ever, and it will use all weapons necessary to fight the government in the upcoming winter session of the Knesset.

"The prime minister is back to being the same old Ariel Sharon from Zion Square who incites against the Left," Meretz faction chair Zehava Gal-On said. "We cannot forget that the assassination of a prime minister started off that way."

Sharon is to address his Likud faction Thursday afternoon.

[anotherview]

All that this statement by Shimon Peres can do is offend the new governor of California. I don't see how it can make any difference in Israel.

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[camle]

ain't is grand that arnold got elected? Otherwise poor Peres wouldn't know what kind of government he has.

what a maroon!

[Honestfreedom]

Peres is a fool and traitor. I see no reason for him to insult a Governor of our largest State. His insistence on negotiating with terrorists when he is out of power should be enough to land him in jail. Imagine if Tom Dashle were meeting with Bin Laden's political front? He is a sick guy if he thinks Israel is flexing muscle these days. Israel has been turning the other cheek and getting slapped again. Maybe he needs to ride more buses.

[sheik yerbouty]

His name is Peres, bur his soul is "peretz"(vulture)!