The Maariv newspaper has begun a daily feature in which it presents two opposing opinions of Likud members regarding the evacuation/expulsion plan. Today, for instance, Yosef Lachmanovitch of Gedera is quoted as planning to vote in favor, while his wife Yaffa says she will vote against. Yosef says, "I will vote this time based on how I foresee the political changes - the entrance of Shas into the coalition," while Yaffa declares, "Ideology is not a question of new fashions, and cannot be replaced like socks... It hurts to see the ruling party implement the policy of the left-wing."
In yesterday's edition, Asher Oknin, Chairman of the Likud Party chapter in the Tel Aviv neighborhood of Kfar Shalem, was quoted as being in favor, while his daughter-in-law Avivit objects to the retreat. Arutz-7's Haggai Segal spoke with Asher, providing a glimpse of what may or may not be an accurate representation of the typical Likud withdrawal supporter:
A-7: You're in favor of the plan?
Oknin: Definitely.
A-7: When did you decide this?
Oknin: The moment I voted for Sharon.
A-7: What, whatever Sharon says you do?
Oknin: It's not 'what Sharon says;' this is a government decision.
A-7: That's exactly the point: There has not yet been a government decision. He's allowing you, the Likud members, to shape the decision.
Oknin: Well, no, we see that the ministers and the MKs pretty much support it.
A-7: Well, that's quite questionable. [Some are against, while] there are some ministers who are waiting to hear what you, the Likud membership, will say.
Oknin: Not exactly. It's just that everyone comes from his own point of view, as we see: One day he's with him, and the next day he's against him, for all sorts of reasons.
A-7: Uh-huh. A year ago, when Sharon ran against Amram Mitzna of Labor, did you work to support Sharon?
Oknin: Yes.
A-7: Do you remember what Sharon's platform was then? He objected to Mitzna's plan to unilaterally withdraw from Gaza, and said that it would be a prize for terrorism.
Oknin: But where do you see that the current plan is unilateral?
A-7: Sharon himself says so!
Oknin: What do you mean, unilateral?
A-7: He is not getting anything in return! The Palestinians have promised nothing.
Oknin: Who said? Why? Where did you make that up from?
A-7: Make it up? Sharon himself said it! He says there's no chance of reaching an agreement with them on the Road Map, so we'll withdraw by ourselves.
Oknin: (after a short silence) One second. What do we need Gaza for?
A-7: That's a different question. But I'm asking you if it doesn't bother you to do something exactly opposite of that which Sharon promised his voters a year ago.
Oknin: (silence) ehhh...
A-7: And you persuaded others to vote for him, based on what he said then.
Oknin: That is true. Look, there is a given situation as of today when there is no alternative and no other way in order to reach a stage that it will be possible to start any type of process to solve the problem. As of now, I believe in Arik Sharon. He's been in politics and in the State of Israel for very many years, and a politician tries all sorts of ways to find a way, and Sharon is trying a different way, and I believe in the way that he's going.
A-7: Does it seem logical to you that Sharon built the communities in Yesha, and encouraged people to live there - is it now acceptable for him to expel them?
Oknin: First of all, he's not 'expelling' them. You're using a word that is very -
A-7: If someone were to come and throw you out of your home in Kfar Shalem against your will, you wouldn't call that expulsion?
Oknin:...You know they wouldn't do that here in Tel Aviv, right?
A-7: So because they wouldn't do it to you, it's OK to do it to others?
Oknin: You'll agree with me that to have these little communities of 200 families or 50 families is not good security-wise. I mean, it's impossible to move a town of 100,000 people, but to move small towns in order to straighten the lines...
A-7: But you, Asher, you in the Likud built these towns all these years, and this was always your election motto, and now suddenly Sharon changes his mind, so everyone goes along with him?! You probably had lots of debates with Labor members and they said that we shouldn't be in Gaza and you argued with them -
Oknin: You heard me argue? You're quoting me on things that you didn't hear. A journalist has to be precise...
A-7: Fine.
Oknin: Let's concentrate on the idea itself. If you are referring to a decision that was made suddenly without any forethought, then of course you're right. But here we have an idea that is good for the country, and both you and I have to believe that he's not doing this because he hates you or the settlers. This is a decision that is good for the country and good for everyone. So it's true that in every decision, someone gets hurt - but we have to look at it in its entirety. It will be good for the whole country, and not just the Prime Minister's personal good.
A-7:...Have you visited in Gush Katif?
Oknin: Ehhh, the truth is that I did not. I visited some settlers, I don't remember exactly, it was with a helicopter -
A-7: Then it was probably not in Gush Katif, but rather in Judea and Samaria. So you were never in Gush Katif, and you're going to vote to uproot them without ever having seen the place? Maybe it would be a good idea for you to go there sometime in the next couple of weeks?
Oknin: Sure, if you invite me, I'll be happy to visit; it's a nice community.
A-7: OK, Asher Oknin, head of the Likud chapter in Kfar Shalem, thank you very much.
Oknin: Thank you.
In yesterday's edition, Asher Oknin, Chairman of the Likud Party chapter in the Tel Aviv neighborhood of Kfar Shalem, was quoted as being in favor, while his daughter-in-law Avivit objects to the retreat. Arutz-7's Haggai Segal spoke with Asher, providing a glimpse of what may or may not be an accurate representation of the typical Likud withdrawal supporter:
A-7: You're in favor of the plan?
Oknin: Definitely.
A-7: When did you decide this?
Oknin: The moment I voted for Sharon.
A-7: What, whatever Sharon says you do?
Oknin: It's not 'what Sharon says;' this is a government decision.
A-7: That's exactly the point: There has not yet been a government decision. He's allowing you, the Likud members, to shape the decision.
Oknin: Well, no, we see that the ministers and the MKs pretty much support it.
A-7: Well, that's quite questionable. [Some are against, while] there are some ministers who are waiting to hear what you, the Likud membership, will say.
Oknin: Not exactly. It's just that everyone comes from his own point of view, as we see: One day he's with him, and the next day he's against him, for all sorts of reasons.
A-7: Uh-huh. A year ago, when Sharon ran against Amram Mitzna of Labor, did you work to support Sharon?
Oknin: Yes.
A-7: Do you remember what Sharon's platform was then? He objected to Mitzna's plan to unilaterally withdraw from Gaza, and said that it would be a prize for terrorism.
Oknin: But where do you see that the current plan is unilateral?
A-7: Sharon himself says so!
Oknin: What do you mean, unilateral?
A-7: He is not getting anything in return! The Palestinians have promised nothing.
Oknin: Who said? Why? Where did you make that up from?
A-7: Make it up? Sharon himself said it! He says there's no chance of reaching an agreement with them on the Road Map, so we'll withdraw by ourselves.
Oknin: (after a short silence) One second. What do we need Gaza for?
A-7: That's a different question. But I'm asking you if it doesn't bother you to do something exactly opposite of that which Sharon promised his voters a year ago.
Oknin: (silence) ehhh...
A-7: And you persuaded others to vote for him, based on what he said then.
Oknin: That is true. Look, there is a given situation as of today when there is no alternative and no other way in order to reach a stage that it will be possible to start any type of process to solve the problem. As of now, I believe in Arik Sharon. He's been in politics and in the State of Israel for very many years, and a politician tries all sorts of ways to find a way, and Sharon is trying a different way, and I believe in the way that he's going.
A-7: Does it seem logical to you that Sharon built the communities in Yesha, and encouraged people to live there - is it now acceptable for him to expel them?
Oknin: First of all, he's not 'expelling' them. You're using a word that is very -
A-7: If someone were to come and throw you out of your home in Kfar Shalem against your will, you wouldn't call that expulsion?
Oknin:...You know they wouldn't do that here in Tel Aviv, right?
A-7: So because they wouldn't do it to you, it's OK to do it to others?
Oknin: You'll agree with me that to have these little communities of 200 families or 50 families is not good security-wise. I mean, it's impossible to move a town of 100,000 people, but to move small towns in order to straighten the lines...
A-7: But you, Asher, you in the Likud built these towns all these years, and this was always your election motto, and now suddenly Sharon changes his mind, so everyone goes along with him?! You probably had lots of debates with Labor members and they said that we shouldn't be in Gaza and you argued with them -
Oknin: You heard me argue? You're quoting me on things that you didn't hear. A journalist has to be precise...
A-7: Fine.
Oknin: Let's concentrate on the idea itself. If you are referring to a decision that was made suddenly without any forethought, then of course you're right. But here we have an idea that is good for the country, and both you and I have to believe that he's not doing this because he hates you or the settlers. This is a decision that is good for the country and good for everyone. So it's true that in every decision, someone gets hurt - but we have to look at it in its entirety. It will be good for the whole country, and not just the Prime Minister's personal good.
A-7:...Have you visited in Gush Katif?
Oknin: Ehhh, the truth is that I did not. I visited some settlers, I don't remember exactly, it was with a helicopter -
A-7: Then it was probably not in Gush Katif, but rather in Judea and Samaria. So you were never in Gush Katif, and you're going to vote to uproot them without ever having seen the place? Maybe it would be a good idea for you to go there sometime in the next couple of weeks?
Oknin: Sure, if you invite me, I'll be happy to visit; it's a nice community.
A-7: OK, Asher Oknin, head of the Likud chapter in Kfar Shalem, thank you very much.
Oknin: Thank you.