Efforts to amend presidential ballot system put into high gear
Peres associates seek open-ballot; ultra-Orthodox sources: Shas will back Vice Premier's candidacy for president, not likely to back open-ballot election.
By Yair Ettinger and Mazal MualemAssociates of Vice Premier Shimon Peres have stepped up their efforts to gain a majority to amend the current law in order to enable an open-ballot election, as opposed to the current secret ballot policy. The key to such a majority lies with Shas, which has strongly opposed such a move.
Ultra-Orthodox sources said Wednesday that Shas intends to back Peres' candidacy for president. According to Yossi Elituv, a commentator with the Haredi weekly Mishpacha, senior Shas members told Peres "in no uncertain terms" that Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Shas' spiritual leader supports his candidacy.
The report also says that Peres was told that Yosef would "instruct his party's MKs to vote for him."
However, Shas' declared support is unlikely to sway the party to alter its view on the balloting procedure.
Peres' associates are waiting for the Knesset House Committee decision on whether to authorize President Katsav's request to temporarily suspend himself. If his request is approved, there is enough time to change the Basic Law on the President. If the president opts to resign or is impeached, then Peres' associates will be facing tight time constraints.
Meanwhile, Tel Aviv's rabbi, Israel Meir Lau, who is considering running as well, is keeping a low media profile.
"It is no secret that there is public pressure on the rabbi to run for the presidency," a statement from his office read. "However, at this time the matter is not on the agenda, and the rabbi has nothing to say about this matter."
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Vice Premier Shimon Peres (Dan Keinan) |
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There are 3 arab MKs from the Balad party that STILL haven't been proscuted for an illegal trip to Syria. Surely treason is worse than alleged rape?
Barghouti was convicted of multiple murders - of civilians women and children. He committed his despicable acts after almost 10 years into the so-called "peace" process. First the left told us that Arafat had changed - that the mass murderer had become a peace lover. When he finally died they admitted he had never changed. And now they want us to believe that Barghouti or a similar thug Dachlan (who blew up a school bus among other things) have now become angels we can trust. "If only we release Barghouti then we'll really have peace". Of course President Peres will eagerly pardon him. What fools and evil people govern the State of Israel. If the so-called "rule of law" allows Barghouti to be freed, then all God fearing people should act and pray that the evil regime and their cheer leaders in the media will disappear - as a spark consumes chaff.
In Uganda long ago, they passed a law making Idi Amin "President For Life". Now the Israeli Left wants to pass a law guaranteeing that Peres will be elected, because they know no MK would dare cast a public vote against Peres (he has files on everybody-look in the archives and see what has happened to his political opponents or those who have angered him or stood in his way). This certainly would show the whole world what Israel's "democracy" is like.
Hasn't the Israeli public been abused enough? Is there no shame after all the scandals? Why does a poltiician once again want to change the voting system to what he perceives as his own advantage? These repeated attempts to manipulate the system should disqualify Peres. When will the voting public make it clear? ENOUGH!!!!
Shimon Peres'pinky has done more for the establishment, security, peace and prosperity of Israel than all of his detractors combined. Peres is the last of the generation of Israel's founders whose dedication to serving Israel had nothing to do with getting rich. He would make an excellent President. Rav Lau would also make an exceellent President. He's done so much to bring mutual understanding and respect to Israel's Jewish religious and secular communities. As a child survivor of the Holocaust he would stand out as a living symbol of our victory over the nazis and a constent reminder to the world of the evil of Ahmedijad, David Irving and all the other anti-semetic Holocaust deniers. We are truly blessed to have 2 such able candidates for President.
ENOUGH !! Get rid of the old man.There are plenty of people that are better suited.The israeli nation has voted many times that they do not want peres.Now to try wangle the system of voting to get him in.We do not want peres.The Haaretz must stop pushing for peres.Stop the lies and underhand manuplations.