Like many others in the nationalist camp, I have been following with concern the activities of Likud's Manhigut Yehudit faction. The thrust of the Manhigut theory is that the majority of the right-wing voters "feel at home" within the framework of the Likud party and, over the last few decades, it has been the largest "right-wing" party. As

Historically, the Likud is not a "right-wing" party.

such, if the nationalist camp really aspires to rule, Likud is the only legitimate "ruling party" from which one can do so. There are endless holes in this theory; and I will outline just a few of them.

First off, it is important to point out that historically the Likud is not a "right-wing" party. The Likud (which literally means "unification") was formed in the mid 1970s as a merger between Menachem Begin's Herut party and Israel's Liberal party. Mapai war-hero general, Ariel Sharon, who served as an aide to Yitzchak Rabin and was a political partner to Yossi Sarid, was the "glue" bringing together these strange bedfellows. Only through this merger was Begin successful in taking the Prime Minster's seat in 1977. And he ultimately began the withdrawal process with the giving away of the Sinai Peninsula and the promise of autonomy for the "Palestinians" in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. It must be remembered that no party is more responsible for cutting Eretz Yisrael into bits than the Likud.

Besides setting the precedent of "land for peace", the Likud party has increasingly distanced itself from any nationalist philosophy, becoming more and more a home for ideologically challenged politicians and their opportunistic friends to get ahead and build a career for themselves. It has been a place open to people like Sha'ul Mofaz and Moshe Ya'alon, who negotiate deals with the Likud while at the same time offering their services to the left-wing Kadima and Labor parties.

The tactic of Manhigut to take over the Likud is based on the premise that its voters are loyal to the name of the party and not necessarily the leader of the party. That is, if Moshe Feiglin becomes the head of the party, then the Likud constituency will "automatically" vote for him, since they are committed to the Likud party. Unfortunately, this tactic has already been tried by two prominent longtime Likud members, Benny Begin and Michael Kleiner. By establishing the Herut party, which was the original and historic name of Menachem Begin's party, they were hoping to garner support from Likud voters by stating that they represent the true and traditional values of the Likud. But Herut never took off. If two old-time Likudniks couldn't succeed in winning over Likud votes, how can an outsider like Feiglin possibly succeed?

Apparently, the assumption that voters will "automatically" vote for Likud, no matter who heads it, is flawed. Voters are not that dumb; and whoever "owns" Likud does not necessarily "own" them. Moreover, Likud is a well-oiled organization with dynamics of its own. Part of those dynamics are what Binyamin Netanyahu used to push Moshe

Likud is a large party today, but it wasn't always so.

Feiglin from number 20 on the Likud list to 36. Yes, a lot of Likud members didn't like that move and the party was hurt in the polls by it, but it did not stop them from supporting Bibi anyway; just as they continued supporting him after he signed the Wye Agreement and gave away Hebron back in 1996.

Likud is a large party today, but it wasn't always so. In the Israeli political arena, many parties have grown and shrunk. Today, Shas and Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu are not that much behind the Likud. Just as they rose in the polls by pushing the right buttons, so could a truly united nationalist list make a similar breakthrough and eventually lead the country. Rabbi Meir Kahane, for example, was elected in 1984 by simply reaching out to the public and speaking the truth. Four years later, the polls projected him becoming the third largest party in the Knesset. Who knows how far he would have gotten if he wasn't banned? He did it alone and didn't enjoy the joint resources of five or more nationalist political groups. This goes to show that owning an established party name is not the only way to achieve a position of power in the Knesset.

The National Union's success in a few short weeks of a last-minute campaign can be multiplied three or four times by the next elections, if they work properly. In order to do so, true right-wing groups and leaders need to join forces and cease their unworthy support of people like Bibi and Lieberman, who have proven again and again loyal to themselves, but not to the Land of Israel.

We can lead this nation in our own suit and do not need to dress in other's clothing.