Speaking with television reporters shortly after Sharon's news conference, newly elected Labor party leader Peretz charged that the prime minister's claim to be a champion of social welfare was ridiculous, calling him the "head of the government of poverty". In what can only be understood as a campaign statement - as Sharon did not explicitly mention the Labor chairman - Peretz declared that the nation knows his record fighting for issues of social welfare and against poverty. Peretz is head of the national labor union, the Histadrut.
Candidly chiding, Peretz said Sharon's claim to be the man for social welfare action "is like me saying I am 'Mr. Security' [an appellation given variously to Sharon and the late Yitzchak Rabin - ed.]. Everyone would say, 'Why? What happened?'"
Tzvi Hendel, chairman of the right-wing National Union party's Knesset faction, charged that Mr. Sharon's motivations in taking his new path are only those of personal interest.
"The very last thing that interests him is the state," MK Hendel said. "This man is dangerous. He entangled us in Lebanon, expelled the pioneers of Gush Katif and almost dragged Israel into civil war, and now he wants to return to the 1967 borders. I have no doubt that the people of Israel will put an end to this dangerous destruction at the ballot box."
Candidly chiding, Peretz said Sharon's claim to be the man for social welfare action "is like me saying I am 'Mr. Security' [an appellation given variously to Sharon and the late Yitzchak Rabin - ed.]. Everyone would say, 'Why? What happened?'"
Tzvi Hendel, chairman of the right-wing National Union party's Knesset faction, charged that Mr. Sharon's motivations in taking his new path are only those of personal interest.
"The very last thing that interests him is the state," MK Hendel said. "This man is dangerous. He entangled us in Lebanon, expelled the pioneers of Gush Katif and almost dragged Israel into civil war, and now he wants to return to the 1967 borders. I have no doubt that the people of Israel will put an end to this dangerous destruction at the ballot box."