Opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday accepted Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's request to become one of those explaining Israel's position to the world regarding the current "Cast Lead" counterterror operation in Gaza. The Likud chairman filled a similar role during the Second Lebanon War in 2006.
Netanyahu's aides said he was happy to contribute to the PR campaign despite the fact that as head of the Likud, he is running against top Kadima and Labor-affiliated ministers in the February elections. They said he will speak in support of Israel while continuing to criticize the current government for its years of inaction, as he did Monday afternoon when the Knesset endorsed the operation.
Netanyahu spoke to the United States-based Fox News channel on Monday and cancelled other plans for Tuesday to schedule several more interviews.