Likud poised to quit government
Newly elected Likud Chairman Netanyahu apparently has his mind set on having Likud ministers quit coalition as early as this week, party officials tell Ynet. ‘We must warn against the government's security policy concerning the increasing Gaza terror attacks’ senior party member says
Newly elected Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu apparently has his mind set on having Likud ministers quit the coalition immediately after the party's Central Committee convention, scheduled to be held Monday and Tuesday, party officials told Ynet.
The new party leader discussed the matter with senior Likud ministers Sunday, and plans to complete a round of talks with other ministers and Knesset members before he decides on a final date.
Top ranking Likud ministers said in conversations with Ynet that Netanyahu has already informed them of his intention to leave the coalition immediately following Tuesday's meeting, a move which will enable Likud to strike against the government more powerfully than before.
According to Likud sources, any delay in leaving the coalition would make it more difficult for the party to criticize the government on its handling of security and political issues.
"We must warn against the government's security policy concerning the increasing Gaza terror attacks, and the Qassam fire in particular. Ever since the disengagement, the terror in the Strip has reached monstrous proportions, and the government seems weak, unable and preoccupied with the prime ministers' diet," a senior party official said.
It has recently been reported in the media that the Likud ministers plan to resign from the government only after the party primaries are held. However, Netanyahu apparently has other plans in mind.
'Tomorrow's meeting will be celebratory'
The new head is keen on freeing himself and his party from the coalition's chains, in order to be able and present an alternative policy to that of the government's ahead of the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the Likud is set to approve on Monday the proposal to grant Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom the second spot on the party's Knesset list, and to push back the primaries.
Sources at Netanyahu's headquarters are convinced the two proposals will win a landslide majority in the Central Committee.
"Tomorrow's meeting will be celebratory, positive, and reveal the unity within Likud. The vote on Monday will not interfere with Netanyahu's plans for the party," a Netanyahu associate said.
MK Uzi Landau has denied on Sunday that relations between him and Netanyahu were tensed over their disagreement on Netanyahu's initiative to remove Moshe Feiglin from the party.
"I am pleased with the version presented to the Likud Legislative Committee, which restricts the admission of criminal elements into the party. Any other description is a mere interpretation of my standing," Landau said.
