Union of Local Authorities in Israel head Shlomo Bohbut, who decided last week not to run in the September 12 Labor primary, endorsed MK Amir Peretz on Tuesday. A spokesman for Peretz said the two had decided to join forces in an effort to strengthen the party and advance the banners of peace and social justice. A poll taken for the Knesset Channel found that a plurality of 509 Israelis surveyed considered Labor leadership candidate Shelly Yacimovich Israel's "socioecomic leader." Yacimovich finished first with 28 percent followed by Social Welfare Minister Moshe Kahlon with 16%, candidate Amram Mitzna at 7%, Peretz and former Shas leader Arye Deri at 6%, and candidate Isaac Herzog at 5%. Nine percent said they did not know and 23% said none of the above.
