President Shimon Peres made it clear in his inauguration speech Sunday that he intends to be a political president.
"I am aware that there are norms," said Peres. "The President has to be state like… [and] help the executive arm fulfill its duties while respecting the minority. But he is entitled to deal with the desirable. The lacking. The vision. He must encourage peace processes. Within the house. With our neighbors. In the whole region. The new era, in any case, lowers territorial borders and reduces discrimination among people. It is built more on creativity than on governing.