Ehud Olmert endorsed Shimon Peres as a candidate for the Israeli presidency. The Israeli prime minister urged his Kadima faction Monday to support Peres’ run for head of state in a Knesset vote on June 13. “There is perhaps no one today whom the entire world associates with the State of Israel’s vision, peace aspirations and the marvelous progress it has made in technology and science,” Olmert said. Peres, Olmert’s top deputy, will be running against Reuven Rivlin of the Likud Party and Colette Avital of Labor. Peres, 83, did not attend Monday’s Labor faction session, as he was taking care of his gravely ill wife, Sonia. Peres was favored for the presidency, a mostly ceremonial role, in 2000 but lost out to Moshe Katsav.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
