Underdog Peretz charts new path as Israeli election nears

Israeli Labour party leader Amir Peretz broke with tradition as campigning was stepped up for the March 28 parliamentary election, trying to convince voters that growing poverty and social distress should be their top consideration rather than the conflict with the Palestinians.

But if the polls are right, Mr Peretz has no chance of winning. The front-runner, acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of the ruling Kadima party, declared recently that the race has already been decided in favour of Kadima.

'Olmert should not be so arrogant. Remember what I tell you: he who doesn't fear polling stations, doesn't fear god,' Mr Peretz said this week.

The former trade union leader engaged in hand slaps with journalists, demonstrating a warm, informal style. 'I'm going to surprise everyone,' he said, his dark eyes staring above the greying moustache that is his trademark. Mr Peretz wore a dark suit, but as always, no tie.

Just by being in the running and reviving through his campaign the old egalitarian ethos of the Labour movement that founded the Jewish state, the Moroccan-born Mr Peretz, 52, has already shaken up Israeli politics. But lacking previous cabinet experience, he is widely seen as unfit to hold the top office, at least for now.

While the election is anything but a nail-biter, analysts say this campaign could mark a political turning point for Israel both internally and in its policies towards the Palestinians.