Shalom: Likud lost fighting spirit
During primaries tours, foreign minister expresses concern, says ruling party members have ‘no fire in their eyes’
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom’s associates say the most conspicuous reality encountered by the foreign minister in his many tours Sunday during the Likud primaries vote is that of “activists without fire in their eyes,” leading him to believe the Likud is losing its fighting spirit.
The comments were made before Shalom lost the battle for Likud leadership to MK Benjamin Netanayahu.
Shalom, Netanyahu, and Katz vote
Following the results of an exit poll indicating Bibi is Likud's new leader, Shalom’s strategic advisor Moshe Debi said the poll showing a victory for Benjamin Netanyahu in the Likud primaries was "only a poll, but there's no doubt that the low turnout made things worse."
He added: "Likud members are behaving like a battered wife, returning to the old and familiar Benjamin Netanyahu."
The Likud primaries vote was characterized by concerns on both sides over low voter turnout rates, prompting Shalom and Netanyahu to boost their efforts in a bid to convince supporters to come out and vote.
At one point, instead of hitting large branches in Raanana, Herzliya, and Tel Aviv, Likud leadership candidate Benjamin Netanyahu headed to Jerusalem in an effort to encourage his activists in the capital. In a talk with Ynet, Bibi said: “I call on everyone to come out and vote.”
Netanyahu told Ynet he estimates turnout figures would eventually hit about 45 percent.
Bibi's associates said Netanyahu was continuing his tours of various Likud branches, but expressed their concerns over the low turnout, which they said could undermine the Likud movement.
2nd round likelier
Earlier, ruling party officials estimated the low turnout figures make a second primaries round likelier. In order to avoid a second round, one of the candidates must garner more than 40 percent of the vote in the first round.
Likud Director-General Arik Barami told Ynet: “This turnout is problematic, but I believe it will improve once people return from work.”
In the afternoon, Netanyahu associates expressed optimism and are predicting a big win.
“We’re getting very good responses and we’re very optimistic. Turnout rates up until now are completely reasonable and do not attest to any particular trend,” one official said.
Meanwhile, officials in Silvan Shalom’s camp said they are also optimistic, despite the disappointing turnout figures.
“We want more and more people to come and vote, because it’s good for Silvan’s candidacy, and it’s good for the movement,” one official said. “Experience teaches us that in the afternoon hours the percentages go up. We must wait and see.”
Turnout battle
While Election Day may somewhat revive the dispirited and defeated movement, the Likud battle focused on voter turnout figures. A low turnout is expected to help Netanyahu, while a high percentage will be advantageous for Shalom.
Earlier polls predicted a victory for Netanyahu, despite Shalom's efforts to fight back at the last moment and his success in drastically narrowing the gap in recent days.
An earlier Israel Radio poll predicted that 40.2 percent of Likud voters will support Netanyahu, while 39 percent want to see Shalom as party chairman.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to the story
Video footage: Dalit Shaham, Yaron Brenner, and Micha Duman
