Amir Peretz arrived in Israel from Boujad, Morocco, in 1956, eventually settling in the development town of Sderot. His political trajectory spanned decades of Israeli legislative history, beginning with a five-year tenure as Sderot’s mayor before he rose to prominence as a trade union leader and twice-elected chair of the Labor Party.
Military Service and Early Public Life
Peretz served in the IDF Artillery wing between 1970 and 1972, later becoming an officer in the 202nd paratroopers brigade. He attained the rank of captain before suffering severe injuries during an accident at the Mitla Pass on 22 April 1974. Following a year of hospitalization, he relocated to the village of Nir Akiva to farm crops for export. His political career began in earnest in 1983 when he won the mayoral election in Sderot, successfully challenging the influence of the Likud and National Religious parties.
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Joining forces with Haim Ramon in 1994, Peretz campaigned to lead the Histadrut trade union federation against the choice of then-Labor leader Yitzhak Rabin. They secured victory, and Peretz became chairman in December 1995. During his tenure, he shifted from a militant stance, frequently initiating general strikes, to a more cooperative approach regarding structural reforms during Benjamin Netanyahu’s term as finance minister. By the early 2000s, he emerged as a central figure for Israel’s working-class voters.
Legislative and Ministerial Roles
Peretz was first elected to the Knesset in 1988. In 1999, he formed the One Nation party, which held three seats by 2003 before merging back into the Labor Party in 2004. In November 2005, he defeated Shimon Peres to lead Labor. Following the 2006 elections, he served as Minister of Defense, overseeing the 2006 Lebanon War and authorizing the Iron Dome missile defense system in 2007. Later, he served as Minister of Environmental Protection under the Hatnuah party before returning to the Labor Party, leading it again in 2019 until his departure from the Knesset in January 2021.
Fast facts
- Born: 1952, Boujad, Morocco
- Military Rank: Captain
- Mayor of Sderot: 1983
- Histadrut Chairman: 1995-2006
- Minister of Defense: 2006-2007
- Labor Party Leader: 2005-2007, 2019-2021
- Departure from Knesset: 29 January 2021
- Languages: Hebrew
Questions readers ask
What significant defense project did Peretz approve as Minister of Defense?
He approved the development and implementation of the Iron Dome defense system in early 2007.
How did Peretz influence the makeup of the Israeli government?
During his leadership, he appointed Raleb Majadele as Minister of Culture, Science and Sports, the first Arab Muslim Israeli to serve as a cabinet minister.
Achievements
- Worked as politician and trade unionist
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