The Likud Party primaries campaigns are in full swing, with a third contender joining Binyamin Netanyahu and Moshe Feiglin in the bid to lead the party.
Feiglin, who heads the Jewish Leadership (Manhigut Yehudit) faction within the Likud, kicked off his campaign Wednesday at Jerusalem’s Renaissance Hotel. The former protest leader said that he fully intends to win the race, having received a “strong message from Israelis that they want leadership that can look the people in the eyes – leadership that it’s possible to trust and believe in…The people deserve a leadership that has a G-d. The people of Israel want this.”
The underdog candidate said that the panic within the Netanyahu camp proves that victory is truly within reach. "The victory will come. We can feel it in the air and in the hysteria of the other side,” he said. “We are not playing games anymore. We intend to win this time. We have to win this time.”
The campaign-launch included addresses by diverse members of the Jewish Leadership faction.
Netanyahu Unveils Slogan
Buses and billboards across the country feature a simple photo of a sharply-dressed and groomed Netanyahu with the slogan “Israel Chooses to Succeed.” The slogan refers to Netanyahu’s performance as Finance Minister under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, during which he is credited for bringing about economic reform.
Feiglin commented on Netanyahu’s slogan, saying that financial success and high-tech prowess can be achieved anywhere in the world. Feiglin’s slogan is “Because he has a G-d” – a reference to his faction’s insistence that a leadership of faith is necessary to get Israel through these troubled times, as well as to a Hebrew idiom oft-heard on the radio and TV referring to incorrigibly corrupt politicians as “not having a G-d.”
Third Candidate Joins Race
A third candidate who just recently decided to join the race is Danny Danon, head of the World Likud party and former leader of the Betar Movement.
Danon launched his campaign with a full-frontal attack on Netanyahu for attempting to relinquish the Golan Heights during his term as Prime Minister. He appeared at the Western Wall Tuesday, during the Tisha B’Av holiday, handing out bumper stickers reading “Assad is waiting for Bibi.” Political campaigning is forbidden at the Western Wall.
The seasoned politician, who represents the Likud in the World Zionist Organization, has been raising money from evangelical Christian sources for use in the race against Feiglin and Netanyahu. Danon defended the practice, saying “I prefer to receive contributions from Jews and Christians who share my ideology than from people who have a financial interest.”
Manhigut Yehudit reiterated its policy of only accepting donations from Jews and those who accept the seven Noahide laws.