A historic realignment of Israeli politics jumped forward when longtime Labor Party leader and Mideast peace advocate Shimon Peres transferred his loyalties to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, a rival who turned into an ally when he pulled Israel out of Gaza.
Saying the prime minister was the best choice to lead Israel to peace with the Palestinians, Peres announced his switch on Wednesday, quitting his political home of six decades to campaign for Sharon's new centrist party. Peres cited peace efforts but is also piqued at Labor Party members, who earlier this month rejected his bid to become Labor's candidate for prime minister again.
Peres' defection was an important coup for Sharon in the scramble by the major parties to recruit high-profile supporters during the political realignment that has shaken the country over the past three weeks.
Now both Sharon and Peres have left parties they guided for decades, joining forces in a new political lineup.
They could emerge from March 28 elections at the head of a solid bloc in favor of compromises for peace with the Palestinians for the first time.
Many Israelis respect Peres, an 82-year-old former prime minister, as an elder statesman and peacemaker, but they remain wary of his dovish politics.
Under a reported deal worked out with Sharon, Peres would support Kadima, the party Sharon formed last week after leaving the hardline Likud, but he would not officially join the party and he would not run for a seat in parliament, where he has served since 1959.
In return, Sharon would give Peres a senior post in his next government if Sharon is re-elected.
His voice shaking with emotion, Peres said the decision to leave Labor was not easy, but he believed Sharon was best suited to pursue a peace deal with the Palestinians.
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