Yaalon: Withdrawals must end

Newest addition to Likud holds press conference with Netanyahu, says decision to enter politics followed lengthy deliberation, but he 'couldn't just sit idly by'
Amnon Meranda

Israeli territorial withdrawals must stop, former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe (Bogie) Yaalon said Tuesday after officially announcing that he would be joining the Likud Party.

Joining Up

Yaalon tells Netanyahu will join Likud / Amnon Meranda

(Video) After a lengthy period of indecision, former chief of staff informs Likud chairman he intends to vie for position on party's roster ahead of general elections. Formal press conference to be held on Tuesday

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During a press conference summoned by Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, Yaalon said, "My deliberation was not whether to join this or that party, but whether to enter politics."

The former army chief said political life would require him to pay a heavy price, but "because I know the challenges this country faces, I couldn't allow myself to just sit idly by."

"The challenges Israel faces require a drastic change, considering the feeling of crisis," he said. "The withdrawals must end".

Yaalon said he had discussed certain strategic, defensive, and political issues with Netanyahu over the past two years, and the two had concluded that they see eye to eye.

"I don't see the Likud as a default choice. I found a correlation between my way of thinking and that Likud's views, and I see it as a real home," he told reporters.

Yaalon also commented on another new Likud member, former IDF Spokeswoman Miri Regev. He said that although he had previously criticized her actions, he hoped that she would "succeed in political life and learn from past mistakes."

Meanwhile, Likud Chairman Netanyahu said: "To me Bogie is the number one soldier. He brings with him an ethical policy I can only term Israel of yore."