If Netanyahu won't lead, then perhaps David Levy will - or maybe Netanyahu will, after all.
Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has not taken as strong a stand against Prime Minister Sharon's unilateral withdrawal plan as had been hoped in the right-wing sector. He in fact was quoted as saying that others seem to want him to do the work for them. Netanyahu has set three conditions that, if fulfilled, would enable him to "positively consider supporting the withdrawal." He explained on Sunday to his fellow Likud ministers that the Prime Minister has already decided upon the withdrawal, and that what remains is for Israel to maximize its gains.
Given Netanyahu's apparent abandonment of the field, MK David Levy, a former three-time Foreign Minister, may be the one to take up the slack in leading the opposition to the withdrawal/expulsion. He plans to convene - tomorrow, in Tel Aviv - a large gathering of 17 Likud Party ministers and MKs who object to the withdrawal. Levy, who was defeated by Netanyahu almost a decade ago in a contest for the Likud leadership, called yesterday for Sharon to "disengage yourself from your disengagement plan." Levy further said that Sharon could instantly solve the Likud's coalition discipline problems if he would merely shelve these plans.
B'Sheva editor Emanuel Shilo wrote the following last week about David Levy:
"He's been [politically] eulogized ten times, and every time he comes back in from the cold. Even the sin of joining up with Ehud Barak has been forgiven him - because nothing matters: David Levy is a Likudnik at his very core, and is forgiven all. At present, from the heights of his political and diplomatic experience, David Levy is sounding one of the clearest voices against Sharon's plans. On the background of the fear and silence of the other ministers, this voice is heard even more strongly, and somewhat restores the prominent visibility he once had. If he continues to prove his relevance, his path to the Presidency will be paved - and who knows? After the comeback that Sharon made, anything's possible, and he could even become Prime Minister."
Netanyahu, for his part, is doing some damage-control in the right-wing camp following his lukewarm objections to the withdrawal. Arutz-7 has learned that Netanyahu has met in the past 36 hours with right-wing leaders, trying to convince them that the three conditions he set are not imaginary restrictions, but rather real ones. The former Prime Minister explained that his demand for American agreement to a fence encompassing the Shomron city of Ariel is not something the U.S. can easily accept. Ditto, he said, regarding his demand for U.S. consent to Israel having a "free hand" in fighting terrorism after the IDF leaves Gaza.
Netanyahu was asked to explain why he had not come out more strongly against the withdrawal, and he said that if he had done so, it would have been interpreted as merely a political ploy to undermine Ariel Sharon.
Netanyahu said on Sunday that he himself "would not have initiated this particular move, but this move is already on its way. The Prime Minister publicly declared the initiative and presented its main points to the American Government and other international elements. The initiative is an existing act and we have to relate to it." He explained yesterday that "as a former Prime Minister, I know that a plan supported and pushed by the Prime Minister is not like an initiative pushed by someone like Beilin. A Prime Minister's plan is received seriously in the world and among the Israeli public."
In his talks with right-wing leaders, however, Netanyahu succeeded in impressing upon them that he regretted this remark, and that from his standpoint, "it's possible and desirable to stop the plan." He further emphasized on TV networks last night that if his three conditions are not fulfilled, he will be forced to object to the plan.
Following these clarifications by Netanyahu, the Yesha Council released a statement congratulating him.
It thus appears that both Netanyahu and Levy estimate that the anti-withdrawal forces in the Likud are strong and searching for a leader - and that they could fit the bill.
In the meanwhile, Dov Weisglass - Director of Prime Minister Sharon's Bureau - departed for Washington last night. He continues his nearly-two-months-old struggle to try to arrange a date for a meeting between his boss and U.S. President George Bush in the White House.
Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has not taken as strong a stand against Prime Minister Sharon's unilateral withdrawal plan as had been hoped in the right-wing sector. He in fact was quoted as saying that others seem to want him to do the work for them. Netanyahu has set three conditions that, if fulfilled, would enable him to "positively consider supporting the withdrawal." He explained on Sunday to his fellow Likud ministers that the Prime Minister has already decided upon the withdrawal, and that what remains is for Israel to maximize its gains.
Given Netanyahu's apparent abandonment of the field, MK David Levy, a former three-time Foreign Minister, may be the one to take up the slack in leading the opposition to the withdrawal/expulsion. He plans to convene - tomorrow, in Tel Aviv - a large gathering of 17 Likud Party ministers and MKs who object to the withdrawal. Levy, who was defeated by Netanyahu almost a decade ago in a contest for the Likud leadership, called yesterday for Sharon to "disengage yourself from your disengagement plan." Levy further said that Sharon could instantly solve the Likud's coalition discipline problems if he would merely shelve these plans.
B'Sheva editor Emanuel Shilo wrote the following last week about David Levy:
"He's been [politically] eulogized ten times, and every time he comes back in from the cold. Even the sin of joining up with Ehud Barak has been forgiven him - because nothing matters: David Levy is a Likudnik at his very core, and is forgiven all. At present, from the heights of his political and diplomatic experience, David Levy is sounding one of the clearest voices against Sharon's plans. On the background of the fear and silence of the other ministers, this voice is heard even more strongly, and somewhat restores the prominent visibility he once had. If he continues to prove his relevance, his path to the Presidency will be paved - and who knows? After the comeback that Sharon made, anything's possible, and he could even become Prime Minister."
Netanyahu, for his part, is doing some damage-control in the right-wing camp following his lukewarm objections to the withdrawal. Arutz-7 has learned that Netanyahu has met in the past 36 hours with right-wing leaders, trying to convince them that the three conditions he set are not imaginary restrictions, but rather real ones. The former Prime Minister explained that his demand for American agreement to a fence encompassing the Shomron city of Ariel is not something the U.S. can easily accept. Ditto, he said, regarding his demand for U.S. consent to Israel having a "free hand" in fighting terrorism after the IDF leaves Gaza.
Netanyahu was asked to explain why he had not come out more strongly against the withdrawal, and he said that if he had done so, it would have been interpreted as merely a political ploy to undermine Ariel Sharon.
Netanyahu said on Sunday that he himself "would not have initiated this particular move, but this move is already on its way. The Prime Minister publicly declared the initiative and presented its main points to the American Government and other international elements. The initiative is an existing act and we have to relate to it." He explained yesterday that "as a former Prime Minister, I know that a plan supported and pushed by the Prime Minister is not like an initiative pushed by someone like Beilin. A Prime Minister's plan is received seriously in the world and among the Israeli public."
In his talks with right-wing leaders, however, Netanyahu succeeded in impressing upon them that he regretted this remark, and that from his standpoint, "it's possible and desirable to stop the plan." He further emphasized on TV networks last night that if his three conditions are not fulfilled, he will be forced to object to the plan.
Following these clarifications by Netanyahu, the Yesha Council released a statement congratulating him.
It thus appears that both Netanyahu and Levy estimate that the anti-withdrawal forces in the Likud are strong and searching for a leader - and that they could fit the bill.
In the meanwhile, Dov Weisglass - Director of Prime Minister Sharon's Bureau - departed for Washington last night. He continues his nearly-two-months-old struggle to try to arrange a date for a meeting between his boss and U.S. President George Bush in the White House.