Peretz in Tel Aviv market: Labor is a party for all people

Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz on Friday visited Tel Aviv's Carmel market, stronghold of the lower classes and Shenkin Street, which is considered as the symbol of Tel Aviv's bourgeoisie. The ring of security guards around Peretz did not prevent passers by from reaching him, shakeing his hand and even hugging him.

Peretz responded to the demonstrations of affection with a campaign slogan: "I have no doubt love will win over," he said. "Labor will not turn its back on any street, alley, kibbutz or moshav, we are the people's party, for all people," Peretz said.

On Thursday the office of Labor's secretary general reported that 20,000 new members joined the party this week. Labor reopened its census to allow new members to join the party following Peretz's victory in the party primaries. The new members joined the 100,000 Labor Party members who have registered with the party before the primaries.

Also Thursday President of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Professor Avishay Braverman endorsed Labor Party chairman and announced plans to run for Knesset on the party's ticket.

"Don't be afraid of Peretz, he's not a communist," Braverman declared at a joint press conference with Peretz at Labor headquarters in Tel Aviv. "He is following the exact same path as British Prime Minister Tony Blair."

Peretz said Braverman's presence "indicates that the Labor movement is succeeding overnight in connecting to its origins."

	Labor leader Amir Peretz touring the Carmel market in Tel Aviv on Friday. (Eli Atias)