Binyamin Netanyahu has received two more important endorsements since last night: Former Defense Minister Moshe Arens and Palmach Ze'evi, son of Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze'evi. Ze'evi the elder was murdered by Palestinians a year ago. All Likud Central Party members received a recorded phone message by Palmach Ze'evi at home last night, in which he explained that a Palestinian state must be avoided at all costs.
Today, Palmach Ze'evi went even further, telling Arutz-7 that his late father, known as Gandhi, told him that Netanyahu must replace Sharon. Palmach said that in the recording,
"I was careful not to use my father's name in connection with Bibi [Netanyahu], but only to call upon voters to 'make the correct calculation regarding the Land of Israel.' But the truth is that when Sharon [was not succeeding in the war against terrorism], I asked my father, "What's our alternative to Sharon?" - and he said "Bibi." So I said, "But what about Hevron and Wye and all the rest?" ... And he said very clearly, "I knew Bibi before, and don't forget that I, with my two-MK Moledet party, toppled his government - but I'm telling you now that this is a different Bibi." So who am I to cast doubt on what my father said?"
Both Netanyahu and Sharon stated yesterday that they would be happy to have the loser in Thursday's Likud vote serve as Israel's Foreign Minister if and when the Likud wins the upcoming Knesset elections. Advisors to Sharon said today, however, that Sharon does not actually plan to appoint Netanyahu as Foreign Minister, "but would rather be 'happy if he would continue' - which does not seem possible, given Netanyahu's stated diplomatic position. Maybe Sharon meant that he would be happy if Bibi would continue in the post starting from this Friday until the national elections..."
Today, Palmach Ze'evi went even further, telling Arutz-7 that his late father, known as Gandhi, told him that Netanyahu must replace Sharon. Palmach said that in the recording,
"I was careful not to use my father's name in connection with Bibi [Netanyahu], but only to call upon voters to 'make the correct calculation regarding the Land of Israel.' But the truth is that when Sharon [was not succeeding in the war against terrorism], I asked my father, "What's our alternative to Sharon?" - and he said "Bibi." So I said, "But what about Hevron and Wye and all the rest?" ... And he said very clearly, "I knew Bibi before, and don't forget that I, with my two-MK Moledet party, toppled his government - but I'm telling you now that this is a different Bibi." So who am I to cast doubt on what my father said?"
Both Netanyahu and Sharon stated yesterday that they would be happy to have the loser in Thursday's Likud vote serve as Israel's Foreign Minister if and when the Likud wins the upcoming Knesset elections. Advisors to Sharon said today, however, that Sharon does not actually plan to appoint Netanyahu as Foreign Minister, "but would rather be 'happy if he would continue' - which does not seem possible, given Netanyahu's stated diplomatic position. Maybe Sharon meant that he would be happy if Bibi would continue in the post starting from this Friday until the national elections..."