In wishing Herzog success, Peres expressed confidence in Herzog’s ability to make a true and meaningful contribution to the state.
By GREER FAY CASHMANHerzog and Peres 370(photo credit: Mark Neiman/GPO)
One of the first people to visit President Shimon Peres after he took office in July 2007 was Labor MK Isaac Herzog.He came to personally congratulate the man who had been his mentor, in an office previously occupied by his father Chaim Herzog, Israel’s sixth president.On Sunday, Herzog, once again called on Peres, this time to close a circle.Peres had telephoned him on Friday when the results of the Labor Party leadership elections were made public, and wished him well in his new position.Herzog had replied that it was an honor and a privilege to be serving in a position once held by Peres himself.On Sunday, Herzog as chairman of the Labor Party and on the eve of becoming Opposition leader again called on Peres to receive congratulations personally and to receive his blessing.Peres told him that when he had been a Labor MK, Herzog’s father had entrusted him with various tasks for the benefit of the state.Peres perceived Sunday’s meeting as the closing of a circle in that he as president, was congratulating Chaim Herzog’s son on his election to the chairmanship of the Labor Party and entrusting him with continuing the democratic process.In wishing Herzog success, Peres expressed confidence in Herzog’s ability to make a true and meaningful contribution to the state.Herzog responded that it was an emotionally moving moment for him to be with Peres at this time. “I started my political career as one of your disciples, and today I am here in a new role as chairman of the party,” he said.Herzog added that he was aware of the enormous challenge to provide a viable alternative to the existing administration, but his immediate mission he emphasized, was to unite the party, “the important party that founded the state.”
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