Shimon Peres’ run for Israeli president got a last-minute boost from Ehud Olmert. The Israeli prime minister said Monday that Peres is the right choice for head of state, a position that will be filled in a Knesset ballot later this week. “We have to make sure that this man, who deserves it more than any other, is chosen on Wednesday to head the state and represent it honorably, just as he has done for so many years,” Olmert told his Knesset faction. Polls show Peres is the people’s choice for the ceremonial presidency, but he faces stiff competition from Reuven Rivlin, the candidate put forward by the opposition Likud. Labor’s candidate in the race is Colette Avital.
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