Shimon Peres Quits Labor Party

Will Campaign for Ariel Sharon’s New Centrist Kadima Party

Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres quit the Labor Party on Wednesday, leaving his political home of nearly six decades to campaign for Ariel Sharon’s new centrist party.

The 82-year-old Peres, who has held every major Cabinet position, left Labor after his humiliating loss to union leader Amir Peretz in the race for party leader three weeks ago.

He said he was supporting Sharon because he had the best chance of restarting the peace process with the Palestinians.

…

Peres’ defection was a coup for the premier’s new Kadima Party as the major political factions scramble to snare high-profile supporters before March parliamentary elections. Many Israelis respect Peres for his decades of service to the country, but some view him warily as a dove and political opportunist.

This is good news. Given the fractious nature of Israeli politics and the historically poor showing of ‘new’ parties, Sharon’s Kadima Party can use the boost.

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