Former prime minister Ehud Barak endorses Herzog

Barak, who has served as prime minister, defense minister and IDF chief of staff, called Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog a balanced, experienced and responsible person.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Barak and Herzog (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Barak and Herzog
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak put his support behind Zionist Union's Isaac Herzog on Monday.
In a statement, Barak, who also served as defense minister and IDF chief of staff, said that Herzog is a balanced, experienced and responsible person.
"I saw Isaac Herzog up close during the most sensitive of security and domestic hearings and in the end-- [made] decisions," he said.
"I support Isaac Herzog. Israeli civilians as well can trust him on every security matter that before us."
On Thursday, former president Shimon Peres also announced his endorsement of Herzog to be the next prime minister of Israel.
"The Israeli democracy is approaching the day of choice. It is natural that people will have differing opinions and that they will vote according to their conscience. As for me, I support Isaac Herzog to be prime minister," Peres stated.
"I have known Isaac Herzog and his family for many years," Peres said. "I have seen him up close fill a number of senior positions excellently, as well as taking part in serious and impactful discussions on Israel's future."
Peres called Herzog "a cool-headed leader who has maintained his honesty and is full of responsibility and dedication to the Israeli public."
"I am convinced that Isaac Herzog is worthy to be prime minster and that he will be a leader who knows how to bridge the gaps and to unite the Israeli society with the glue of solidarity and hope."
The Likud responded to the endorsement, saying that Barak and Herzog are joining again like they did in 1999 to bring about concessions withdrawals and dividing Jerusalem.
"The last time they brought about the second Intifada and buses blowing up in the heart of our cities. This time, they"are again using left-wing organizations with millions of dollars flowing from abroad in order to bring up the Arab vote turnout. The only way to stop it is by having more votes to Likud."