Wallerstein's main point was that in order for moderate right-wingers to vote for the Likud and not Kadima, the Likud must not have an "extremist" image. The former chairman of the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza said:
"We endorsed Netanyahu in order not to remain in a narrow and idealistic framework that is enjoyable to be in, but will not reach the leadership levels. The Likud can bring the moderates among this nation to join, but Feiglin can't do this. Who can cause the people of the development towns not to support Sharon? This was the only question that stood before me, and nothing else, and this was why I preferred Netanyahu.
"It was clear to me that every day of internal discord in the Likud causes it to lose strength, and that we had to try to avoid a second round [in the event that no candidate would have received at least 40% of the vote - ed.]. We have a responsibility to prevent a discussion on the fate of Jerusalem, and to make efforts to include in the right-wing public even those who consider themselves moderate."
Wallerstein rejected remarks by Manhigut Yehudit figures to the effect that the Yesha Council is merely a group of wheeler-dealers. "Those who took part in building and settlement, as well as in funerals and the like, were us - and not those who now attack us," he said.
Arutz-7's Amatzia HaEitan asked, "Let's say that Netanyahu wins - will he go in the way you want?" Wallerstein responded, "It's clear that we have to keep on working and make sure that he has a strong right-wing camp behind him. We have to have a right-wing bloc that will prevent the formation of a Sharon-led government - and if we do, then we will still have to stand on guard. But if we don't, then we will face very difficult days ahead - but we won't give up."
Wallerstein added that it is "imperative that we have a united NRP-National Union list, which will hopefully receive as many votes as possible, so that we not continue to fight among ourselves, but rather fight the urgent and immediate threat that a Sharon government will pose to every Jewish community behind the partition wall, such as Beit El, Ofrah and many others."
"We endorsed Netanyahu in order not to remain in a narrow and idealistic framework that is enjoyable to be in, but will not reach the leadership levels. The Likud can bring the moderates among this nation to join, but Feiglin can't do this. Who can cause the people of the development towns not to support Sharon? This was the only question that stood before me, and nothing else, and this was why I preferred Netanyahu.
"It was clear to me that every day of internal discord in the Likud causes it to lose strength, and that we had to try to avoid a second round [in the event that no candidate would have received at least 40% of the vote - ed.]. We have a responsibility to prevent a discussion on the fate of Jerusalem, and to make efforts to include in the right-wing public even those who consider themselves moderate."
Wallerstein rejected remarks by Manhigut Yehudit figures to the effect that the Yesha Council is merely a group of wheeler-dealers. "Those who took part in building and settlement, as well as in funerals and the like, were us - and not those who now attack us," he said.
Arutz-7's Amatzia HaEitan asked, "Let's say that Netanyahu wins - will he go in the way you want?" Wallerstein responded, "It's clear that we have to keep on working and make sure that he has a strong right-wing camp behind him. We have to have a right-wing bloc that will prevent the formation of a Sharon-led government - and if we do, then we will still have to stand on guard. But if we don't, then we will face very difficult days ahead - but we won't give up."
Wallerstein added that it is "imperative that we have a united NRP-National Union list, which will hopefully receive as many votes as possible, so that we not continue to fight among ourselves, but rather fight the urgent and immediate threat that a Sharon government will pose to every Jewish community behind the partition wall, such as Beit El, Ofrah and many others."