The Likud’s Moshe Feiglin says the nationalist public must vote for the Likud in order to thwart Netanyahu’s centrist government plans, while National Union leader Ketzaleh says a strong National Union means a more nationalist Likud.
Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu, favored to win the upcoming Israel elections and form the next government, continues to say that he plans to form a unity government with the Kadima and/or Labor parties. Such a government would lean heavily towards the center and towards land-ceding diplomatic agreements - in stark contrast to the “extremist right-wing government” he declares he will not form.
Israel National News asked Moshe Feiglin, leader of the Likud’s Jewish Leadership faction, to comment on Netanyahu’s latest remarks regarding a unity government. “Netanyahu has been saying this for a while,” Feiglin said. “Our job is to make sure that within the party faction, there are enough nationalist MKs who will prevent Netanyahu from carrying out dangerous moves.”
Q. “Which dangerous moves are you referring to – forming a national unity government, or giving away land afterwards?”
A. “Both. If there is a majority within the Likud against forming a government with Kadima or Likud, then Netanyahu won’t be able to [form a unity government with them]. The Likud is going to get at least 30 seats, but if they get a few more, then the balance of power in the party changes, because from places 31 through 40, there are 8 who would fight against a national unity government.
“Therefore, religious-Zionist voters must understand: Whether or not the National Union or Jewish Home parties make it into the Knesset, they will not be in the government – and even if they are, they won’t make much of a difference either way. But if they vote for the Likud, they have a chance to bring in candidates who can really make a difference.”
“As we have been saying for years,” Feiglin concluded, “the only way to influence is from within the Likud – and that’s why Netanyahu fights against me so hard.”
Ketzaleh Responds
National Union party leader Yaakov "Ketzaleh" Katz said that the way to ensure that the Likud remains nationalistically-oriented is by voting for a party to the right of it: "The fight is not over the Likud candidates in places 31-40, but rather those in the places leading up to spot 30 - many of whom are not nationalist candidates. The polls show that the Likud will only get 29-30 Knesset seats. If the religious-Zionist voters who are now supporting the Likud would vote for the National Union, then many left-wing Likud candidates [particularly in the upper 20's - ed.] will not get into the Knesset - while the National Union could get 10 seats! We must not let Feiglin steal away national-religious votes for people like Dan Meridor, Assaf Chefetz, and others."
"In addition," Katz said, "all our strength comes from the Torah, from rabbis who are totally involved in the challenges facing our nation today. There are rabbis who say to vote for the Jewish Home, and many who endorse the National Union - but none endorse the Likud! How can Feiglin act on his own in this manner? Is the religious-Zionist camp bereft of spiritual leadership?! None of them say to vote for the Likud!"
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