Netanyahu following victory in Likud primary elections
Photo: Eli Elgart
Bibi leader of foxes
Netanyahu victory answer to Sharon's prayers
The victory party at Likud headquarters Monday night only sweetened the bitter taste of this victory for a moment. The revelers simply forgot one plain fact: That at the end of the day, they did little more than choose a leader for their group of foxes. That they did little more than pick the leader who is going to lose the coming elections.
Benjamin Netanyahu also woke up this morning to a tough reality. This is not the Likud he prayed to lead. From now on, he is the leader of a small, crumbling, extremist party, a party in which some 20 percent of its members would have preferred a party headed by Moshe Feiglin.
Primaries
Ilan Marciano
New Likud leader addresses ruling party activists following primaries win, says Likud starting to make way back to power; earlier, Foreign Minister Shalom calls to congratulate Bibi. After 98 percent of ballots counted, Bibi leading with 44 percent, Shalom second with 33 percent of vote
Netanyahu looks right and sees Yehiel Hazan; he looks left and sees Ayoub Kara. Until yesterday he called them both good Zionists, dear friends.
Until 10:00 last night (Monday) he made the rounds at voting booths, hand - in- hand with Uzi Landau. But starting this morning, if he has any survival instinct, he must push them aside: He will look a lot better with Silvan Shalom at his side than with Landau, because now the picture has changed entirely.
Break for the center
From this morning, if not from yesterday, Netanyahu must make a break for the center, to position himself as a pragmatic center- right leader, rather than someone who has until now been mentioned in the same breath as Landau and Feiglin.
Therefore, Netanyahu should take a few days off. Maybe take advantage of the time Sharon is resting at home to do the same. Take it easy. Let him think twice, even three times, before making statements that will trap him.
You won, Netanyahu. Now you can relax. Wait a little while, Think about it. Don't say anything. No one is threatening you anymore. Everyone, including Likud ministers, is beholden to you.
Consider your moves
Perhaps pulling Likud ministers out of the government would not be the right move? Maybe it would be better for you to leave the Likud on the inside, where you can position yourself opposite the prime minister?
Perhaps instead of playing opposition leader for the next few months, it would be better for you to spend the time working with Sharon to establish a joint security line.
Maybe if you do work together with Sharon, you'll earn some points with the public, to soften the demonic image you've managed to create for yourself.
For instance, help Sharon find money for health care. Become a partner in the war on poverty. After they said that you screwed the poor, show 'em you can also give.
Stop and think
Stop a second, Netanyahu. You can scream "reciprocity," even from within the government. Even you know that many more Qassams will have to fall on Ashkelon before anyone says you were right.
So you could well be better off by staying inside the government. You might even gain something out of it. You might even win a few more seats for your pathetic party.
You want to know what Sharon thinks about your victory? Sharon is thrilled. He supported Silvan Shalom, but deep down he really wanted you. You will be a lot easier to demonize to the public. It's easier to connect you with the radical right.
This election played right into Sharon's hands. "Netanyahu – Feiglin – Landau Likud." That's what they'll call your party.
It's easy to pin poverty and suffering on your shoulders. With you at the head, Sharon believes it will be much easier to win. True, with Silvan Shalom it would be much easier to put together a coalition. But you know Arik. He's not thinking about coalitions at the moment. He's only thinking about winning these elections.
