A wedding took place four years ago in Jerusalem. The parents of the couple, well-known people belonging to the Israeli establishment, invited political figures, millionaires, and similar people.
There was a call for silence in the hall: "Let's welcome the next Prime Minister!" came the announcement. The guests stopped eating for a moment and directed their glances to the entrance. When Binyamin Netanyahu entered the hall, smiling and kissing the hosts, the guests hurriedly clapped before returning their attention to their plates. From the corners of the hall the routine calls of "Bibi! Bibi!" were heard for a moment, but quickly died down since the guests preferred to return to their meal.
A few moments later there was again a call for silence: "Let's welcome his honor Rabbi Arieh Deri!" Derry gave the roast chicken a knock-out. The guests abandoned their meal, got to their feet, and loudly clapped while calling: "Deri! Deri!" The noise was overwhelming and only died down when Derry took his seat at the table of guests of honor and himself requested the guests to return to their tables.
Again a few minutes went by and once again an announcement was made: "Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome Ariel Sharon!"
No-one moved, except for a few ladies, who clapped politely for a few moments. Sharon, the man whose entire future lay behind him, who was merely warming Netanyahu's seat until he returned to power, had no chance in the struggle for attention now being given to the roast chicken on the plates.
*
Today, this story seems divorced from reality; however, it contains a small truth. Furthermore, such an event could have happened another three years afterwards. Less than a year ago, Sharon's star started rising. Only six months ago, Netanyahu's charm disappeared and he was defeated by Sharon in the elections for the leadership of the Likud. And only five months ago, Sharon won the elections for the Knesset and became the undisputed leader of the Right. No-one really understands how this actually happened. The media attempts to explain that this was the result of Sharon's stand against the Likud Central Committee's decision regarding the issue of a Palestinian State, but this is illogical. Sharon was elected by members of the Likud, not by the general public, and they did not like this blatant disregard for the party's institutions. Apparently, this was simply the decision of the Crowner of Kings. Overnight, the charisma of the undisputed leader (Bibi) left him and was transferred to Sharon.
The conclusion to be drawn is that a leader's standing and strength are transient. We must remember this during the struggle we are currently waging against Sharon's program for the Road Map and the Palestinian State.
Many people are falling into despair and asking what is the use of our activity. After all, Sharon ignores the wishes of his party and does what he likes.
Every leader wishes the forces of opposition to feel this. It is therefore always worth remembering the story of the Jerusalem wedding. Every positive action will succeed in the end, if only it is truthful and persistent. This activity creates an alternative for a period in which the current government will become weaker. Furthermore, it will accelerate this process until the Creator once again intervenes.
*
This week, a gathering was held of Likud members. About a thousand people participated, including about 400 Central Committee members. Five MKs and one cabinet minister (Uzi Landau) took part in the proceedings. All those present expressed the decisive opinion that the Road Map and the idea of a Palestinian State endangered the very existence of the State of Israel.
Only a month ago, it seemed that no-one in the Likud dared to oppose Sharon's stance. Possibly, we are seeing the return of the pendulum in the Likud to the point it was exactly a year ago, when the Likud Central Committee made an unambiguous decision against a Palestinian State.
You may say, ?So what? Another leader will appear and disregard the Central Committee.?
This may well be true, but within the Likud new forces are growing who are not satisfied with such resolutions, but are directing their aim at the leadership. This is, of course, the Manhigut Yehudit faction in the Likud. You think it has no chance? Remember the Jerusalem wedding?.
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Moshe Feiglin is head of the Manhigut Yehudit faction in the Likud party and a former prime ministerial candidate.
There was a call for silence in the hall: "Let's welcome the next Prime Minister!" came the announcement. The guests stopped eating for a moment and directed their glances to the entrance. When Binyamin Netanyahu entered the hall, smiling and kissing the hosts, the guests hurriedly clapped before returning their attention to their plates. From the corners of the hall the routine calls of "Bibi! Bibi!" were heard for a moment, but quickly died down since the guests preferred to return to their meal.
A few moments later there was again a call for silence: "Let's welcome his honor Rabbi Arieh Deri!" Derry gave the roast chicken a knock-out. The guests abandoned their meal, got to their feet, and loudly clapped while calling: "Deri! Deri!" The noise was overwhelming and only died down when Derry took his seat at the table of guests of honor and himself requested the guests to return to their tables.
Again a few minutes went by and once again an announcement was made: "Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome Ariel Sharon!"
No-one moved, except for a few ladies, who clapped politely for a few moments. Sharon, the man whose entire future lay behind him, who was merely warming Netanyahu's seat until he returned to power, had no chance in the struggle for attention now being given to the roast chicken on the plates.
*
Today, this story seems divorced from reality; however, it contains a small truth. Furthermore, such an event could have happened another three years afterwards. Less than a year ago, Sharon's star started rising. Only six months ago, Netanyahu's charm disappeared and he was defeated by Sharon in the elections for the leadership of the Likud. And only five months ago, Sharon won the elections for the Knesset and became the undisputed leader of the Right. No-one really understands how this actually happened. The media attempts to explain that this was the result of Sharon's stand against the Likud Central Committee's decision regarding the issue of a Palestinian State, but this is illogical. Sharon was elected by members of the Likud, not by the general public, and they did not like this blatant disregard for the party's institutions. Apparently, this was simply the decision of the Crowner of Kings. Overnight, the charisma of the undisputed leader (Bibi) left him and was transferred to Sharon.
The conclusion to be drawn is that a leader's standing and strength are transient. We must remember this during the struggle we are currently waging against Sharon's program for the Road Map and the Palestinian State.
Many people are falling into despair and asking what is the use of our activity. After all, Sharon ignores the wishes of his party and does what he likes.
Every leader wishes the forces of opposition to feel this. It is therefore always worth remembering the story of the Jerusalem wedding. Every positive action will succeed in the end, if only it is truthful and persistent. This activity creates an alternative for a period in which the current government will become weaker. Furthermore, it will accelerate this process until the Creator once again intervenes.
*
This week, a gathering was held of Likud members. About a thousand people participated, including about 400 Central Committee members. Five MKs and one cabinet minister (Uzi Landau) took part in the proceedings. All those present expressed the decisive opinion that the Road Map and the idea of a Palestinian State endangered the very existence of the State of Israel.
Only a month ago, it seemed that no-one in the Likud dared to oppose Sharon's stance. Possibly, we are seeing the return of the pendulum in the Likud to the point it was exactly a year ago, when the Likud Central Committee made an unambiguous decision against a Palestinian State.
You may say, ?So what? Another leader will appear and disregard the Central Committee.?
This may well be true, but within the Likud new forces are growing who are not satisfied with such resolutions, but are directing their aim at the leadership. This is, of course, the Manhigut Yehudit faction in the Likud. You think it has no chance? Remember the Jerusalem wedding?.
--------------------------------------------------------
Moshe Feiglin is head of the Manhigut Yehudit faction in the Likud party and a former prime ministerial candidate.