New Series Explores Shimon Peres' Complex Legacy and Rivalries

The new documentary series "Mr. Almost" delves into the political career and personal complexities of Shimon Peres, focusing on the period between 1984 and 1996. During these years, Peres served twice as Prime Minister and was involved in significant events such as the "Smelly Exercise" political maneuver and the Oslo Accords. While the series provides a factual overview for those unfamiliar with the era, its primary strength lies in its exploration of Peres' character and motivations rather than uncovering new historical details.

The series highlights the intense rivalry between Peres and Yitzhak Rabin, portraying their mutual animosity as sometimes exceeding that directed towards the Likud party leaders. Rabin is depicted as actively working to undermine Peres, even reportedly coining derogatory nicknames that followed Peres throughout his career. Rabin's own writings describe Peres as a "tireless schemer," a label that contributed to Peres' public image as someone willing to do anything for power.

Contributors to the series offer varied perspectives on Peres, describing him as a "man of security at his core," politically cunning, and capable of envisioning and pursuing a vision. This diversity of opinions underscores the multifaceted and contradictory nature of Peres' public persona, which historians still grapple with. The series wisely shifts focus from whether Peres was a "loser" to the impact of such a perception on him and the public, acknowledging the subjectivity and potential irrelevance of the "loser" label for younger audiences.

With a record 47 years and 105 days as a Knesset member, Peres had a profound impact on Israeli politics, a tenure longer than any other lawmaker and exceeding half the state's existence. The series, while sometimes overlooking his diplomatic achievements and political maneuvers, prompts reflection on the boundaries of political gamesmanship and the personal cost of an obsessive pursuit of victory and leadership, even when aimed at advancing values.