Shimon Peres, former Israeli Foreign Minister, two days after resigning from the Likud government, stated that the center-left Labor Party, which he leads, will continue its efforts to establish peace in the Middle East. Peres made this statement on Friday in Spain after meeting with Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian negotiator, and said that any success heavily relies on the progress of the so-called Quartet for Middle East peace - the United States, the United Nations, the European Union, and Russia. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has offered Benjamin Netanyahu, the former Prime Minister and a right-wing political rival, the position of Foreign Minister. Netanyahu has stated that he is considering the offer. The latest news indicates that Benjamin Netanyahu is evaluating his membership proposal in the new cabinet of Israel led by Ariel Sharon. Mr. Sharon, during a meeting with Mr. Netanyahu, his main rival for the leadership of the Likud party, on Friday evening at his farm in the Negev desert, offered him the position of Foreign Minister in his cabinet. Israeli media reported that Mr. Netanyahu received the offer coldly, and the Israeli Armed Forces Radio predicted that he would reject it. On the other hand, Shaul Mofaz, the former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, known for his hardline positions and actions against Palestinians, announced that he has decided to accept the position of Defense Minister in the new Israeli cabinet.
Netanyahu Considers Offer for Israeli Prime Minister - 2002-11-02
Shimon Peres reaffirms the Labor Party's commitment to peace efforts in the Middle East following his resignation from the Likud government. Ariel Sharon has offered Benjamin Netanyahu the position of Foreign Minister, which Netanyahu is considering, while Shaul Mofaz has accepted the Defense Minister role. This political maneuvering is significant as it reflects the ongoing tensions and shifting alliances within Israeli politics.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Shimon Peres reaffirmed the Labor Party's commitment to peace after resigning from the Likud government. Meanwhile, Ariel Sharon offered Benjamin Netanyahu the position of Foreign Minister, which Netanyahu is considering, while Shaul Mofaz accepted the role of Defense Minister.
- Peres emphasized the importance of the Quartet for Middle East peace.
- Netanyahu's response to the Foreign Minister offer was reportedly cold.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Israeli political landscape is marked by a struggle between right-wing and left-wing parties, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%