JERUSALEM : Vying for Presidency
Israel’s governing Labor Party will gather its central committee on Thursday to nominate its candidate for the country’s presidency, a largely ceremonial office that many in the party feel should be filled by a person symbolizing the nation’s aspiration for peace.
Breaking with tradition, three veteran politicians--Ezer Weizman, Arie (Lova) Eliav and Shlomo Hillel--have campaigned hard for the post, increasing the political significance of the nomination and of the office itself.
Weizman, the charismatic former defense minister, is thought to be the leading candidate, and his choice would be the clearest signal to Israel’s Arab neighbors of its desire for peace. The Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, will formally elect the new president in March.
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