New Documentary Explores Shimon Peres' Complex Political Legacy

A new documentary series titled "Almost a Master" by Avi Maor Marzouk examines the image that became attached to Shimon Peres as a political "loser" in Israel. The three-part series focuses on the dramatic political struggles between 1984 and 1996, with a particular emphasis on Peres' intense rivalry with Yitzhak Rabin. The documentary offers a rare glimpse into Peres' emotional world and his deep rift with Rabin, who famously labeled him a "tireless schemer." The series quotes Haim Ramon describing Peres as "a great statesman but a small politician," while Rabin is depicted as constantly working to undermine Peres in their fierce competition for leadership of the Alignment party. The series touches upon historical events such as "the stinking maneuver" and the Oslo Accords, presenting Peres through the eyes of participants like Yossi Beilin. These accounts portray Peres as a complex figure, oscillating between being fundamentally a security man and a visionary leader with political blindness, highlighting the numerous internal contradictions that characterized his controversial persona over the years. Instead of simply asking if Peres was a "loser," the series investigates the impact of this image on the public and on his 47-year career as a Knesset member and president. "Almost a Master" raises poignant questions about the boundaries of political gamesmanship, the balance between scheming and vision, and the heavy price of the relentless pursuit of victory.