Peretz slams Netanyahu at economic conference

Environment Minister Amir Peretz spoke at an economic conference on Monday where he lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governance. Netanyahu "has been in office for the past five years and cannot escape responsibility on any issue," the minister said, listing the "growing social gaps, increasing poverty" and recent surge in violence that has engulfed large parts of the country.The job of the prime minister is "to create a diplomatic front in light of the changing Middle East" and to work together with moderates forces "around us."  He charged that the country has been taken hostage by a PR stunt which sends the wrong messages: that those pushing for a diplomatic solution fear the war on terror; and that Netanyahu has no replacement, both of which, Peretz said, were false. He said the country was in need for a new vision and renewed hope.