Peretz accused Sharon of "irresponsible behavior" by postponing their meeting from today (Sunday) until Thursday. Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon explained, however, that holding the meeting today was mentioned only in passing. "Sharon was one of the first to congratulate Peretz on his victory," Maimon said, "and he certainly cannot be accused of showing disdain for Peretz." But because of all the Rabin memorials and meetings with world leaders at the beginning of this week, Maimon explained, Sharon had no choice but to postpone the meeting. "With all due respect to politics, nothing will happen if Peretz waits until Thursday."
Peretz said that Sharon is merely trying to stall and buy time, "but the era of marathons has ended. I know these political tricks."
It is possible that the crisis between Peretz and Sharon over their meeting date will remain only on a personal level, however. Interior Minister Ophir Pines of Labor said it is not likely that his party will vote against the government in Wednesday's Knesset dissolution vote.
Commentators noted that Amir Peretz's bulldozer style, which helped propel him to the party leadership, may now face an iron wall as he proceeds to try to implement his policies. Almost all of the Labor Party's ministers and top MKs supported Shimon Peres and opposed Peretz in the recent race for party leader.
Peretz, speaking to the press last night and today, also revealed his post-election plans - including some extreme left-wing tilts: If Labor loses, "we will not join a Likud-led government, even if I am offered the position of Finance Minister." And if Labor wins, "I do not rule out the possibility of having Arab ministers in my government." Never before in Israel's history has an Arab party been part of the government.
Peretz explained that appointing Arab ministers would "reduce tensions in the country." Others see it as another step towards the abrogation of the United Nations Resolution of November 29, 1947 which called for the "establishment of an independent Jewish State in Palestine," and towards the Arab goal of turning Israel into a bi-national state.
Speaking at the official memorial rally for Yitzchak Rabin in Tel Aviv last night, Peretz said, "I have a dream. Between Sderot [where Peretz lives - ed.] and Beit Hanoun [a city just four kilometers away from where Kassam rockets are often launched], an industrial zone will be built, and our children will play with Palestinian children together. We will then be able to tell you, Yitzchak: Nirtzahta, aval nitzahta - You were murdered, but you won."
"The path of Oslo is alive and well," Peretz cried out, "and everyone knows that it is our hope for peace... We need today a moral Road Map - the protection of 'human worth' in Israel, the end of the conquest, and the signing of a permanent status agreement."
In response, Likud Knesset faction leader MK Gideon Saar said that Peretz's extremist positions have thus been revealed. "Peretz's declaration regarding his intention to form a coalition with the Arab anti-Zionist parties symbolizes the Zionist and moral bankruptcy of the Labor Party," Saar said.
It now appears that passing the budget for the year 2006, which was a top priority for the Sharon government, will be an impossibility for the coming future, and that the date of early elections has become the burning issue. Some have said that new elections could be held, following the toppling of the government or the dissolution of the Knesset, as early as this coming March.
Peretz said he had talked with National Religious Party chairman Zevulun Orlev and that the two will coordinate their moves regarding the latter's proposal to dissolve the Knesset. Orlev's proposal is scheduled to be voted on this Wednesday. A similar proposal by MK Yitzchak Levy of the National Union has been tabled, but Peretz has apparently not been in touch with him.
Peretz said that Sharon is merely trying to stall and buy time, "but the era of marathons has ended. I know these political tricks."
It is possible that the crisis between Peretz and Sharon over their meeting date will remain only on a personal level, however. Interior Minister Ophir Pines of Labor said it is not likely that his party will vote against the government in Wednesday's Knesset dissolution vote.
Commentators noted that Amir Peretz's bulldozer style, which helped propel him to the party leadership, may now face an iron wall as he proceeds to try to implement his policies. Almost all of the Labor Party's ministers and top MKs supported Shimon Peres and opposed Peretz in the recent race for party leader.
Peretz, speaking to the press last night and today, also revealed his post-election plans - including some extreme left-wing tilts: If Labor loses, "we will not join a Likud-led government, even if I am offered the position of Finance Minister." And if Labor wins, "I do not rule out the possibility of having Arab ministers in my government." Never before in Israel's history has an Arab party been part of the government.
Peretz explained that appointing Arab ministers would "reduce tensions in the country." Others see it as another step towards the abrogation of the United Nations Resolution of November 29, 1947 which called for the "establishment of an independent Jewish State in Palestine," and towards the Arab goal of turning Israel into a bi-national state.
Speaking at the official memorial rally for Yitzchak Rabin in Tel Aviv last night, Peretz said, "I have a dream. Between Sderot [where Peretz lives - ed.] and Beit Hanoun [a city just four kilometers away from where Kassam rockets are often launched], an industrial zone will be built, and our children will play with Palestinian children together. We will then be able to tell you, Yitzchak: Nirtzahta, aval nitzahta - You were murdered, but you won."
"The path of Oslo is alive and well," Peretz cried out, "and everyone knows that it is our hope for peace... We need today a moral Road Map - the protection of 'human worth' in Israel, the end of the conquest, and the signing of a permanent status agreement."
In response, Likud Knesset faction leader MK Gideon Saar said that Peretz's extremist positions have thus been revealed. "Peretz's declaration regarding his intention to form a coalition with the Arab anti-Zionist parties symbolizes the Zionist and moral bankruptcy of the Labor Party," Saar said.
It now appears that passing the budget for the year 2006, which was a top priority for the Sharon government, will be an impossibility for the coming future, and that the date of early elections has become the burning issue. Some have said that new elections could be held, following the toppling of the government or the dissolution of the Knesset, as early as this coming March.
Peretz said he had talked with National Religious Party chairman Zevulun Orlev and that the two will coordinate their moves regarding the latter's proposal to dissolve the Knesset. Orlev's proposal is scheduled to be voted on this Wednesday. A similar proposal by MK Yitzchak Levy of the National Union has been tabled, but Peretz has apparently not been in touch with him.