President Peres's Political Personage

כ"ו לחודש העשירי תשע"ד 

Arutz 7: Peres to Gazans: You're Playing with Fire
President Shimon Peres issues stern warning for the residents of Gaza in the wake of the latest terror attacks.

Elad Benari, December 25, 2013

President Shimon Peres had a stern warning for the residents of Gaza on Tuesday evening, in the wake of the latest escalation in terror attacks from that region.

“You are playing with fire,” he told Gazans, after a fatal shooting of a civilian IDF worker by terrorist snipers.

"If Gaza wants quiet then they should act accordingly and if not then it will bear the results,” added Peres.

“Gaza is not under any occupation. If they think the world will continue to support them while they create more victims then they are wrong. We will guarantee our security," he stressed...

...The latest Arab terrorist attack is the most recent in five consecutive days of violence. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

Shimon Peres, Ariel Sharon, Ehud Olmert, c. 2005
Three Former Prime Ministers (Kadima Party)

Has President Shimon Peres crossed the line [again] of the symbolic nature of his presidential position?

Maybe this is not the greatest example, as he does not seem to be saying anything against the government's party line. But, is it his place to make such statements? Is it not more appropriate for the prime minister to do so?

Before Shimon Peres was president, what was his position? He was in favor of expelling Jews from Azza (Gaza) and handing their homes and lands over to the hostile, Arab enemies of Hamas, believing that it would lead to peace.

That decision has obviously not led to peace, and was just another repetition of the same old mistakes, expecting different results (...or was it?).

He was then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's partner, and has yet to express any regret for that decision.

Perhaps that is because he would not want to violate the apolitical nature of his current position as president.