“All of us would prefer to get rid of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the modern Haman, without war,” President Shimon Peres told former Chief Sephardi Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in his Sukkah in Tuesday. Peres also put in a plug for the Obama administration. Haman was the second in command to the king of Persia – ancient Iran – who conspired to kill all the Jews in the empire but eventually fell into his own trap and was sentenced to death by the king, along with his co-plotters. In his annual visit to the Sukkah of Israel’s current and former Chief Rabbis, the President told Rabbi Yosef, spiritual leader of the Shas party, “Harsh economic sanctions must be placed on this most corrupt regime in the world.” We need a wide coalition to put pressure on Iran. “The most important policy in the issue of Iran is to work hand-in-hand with the United States, the greatest and most important power n the world and a true friend of Israel.” The President told Rabbi Yosef, “I am happy to come to your Sukkah this year, more than any other year. Our people are strong and G-d stands behind us.” Rabbi Yosef praised Peres, telling him “to continue in your way, and G-d’s blessings are on you. I wish you health, long life and success.” The rabbi and the President also discussed gaps between the rich and poor in society. “Despite the relatively good economy in Israel, we have to continue to work to reduce the social gaps and use a significant amount of income from gas and oil royalties for education and the poor sector,” President Peres stated. In his visit with Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Peres praised the rabbi for his work in promoting unity among Jews. He told Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger that Tuesday’s graffiti against Jesus on a monastery door was totally against the “Jewish way.” Peres recites blessing the "Four Species" with Rabbi Amar (Flash 90): Peres Visits Rabbi Metzger (Flash 90):
