Benjamin Netanyahu and Silvan Shalom
Photo: Eli Elgarat
Likud: Kadima wants '67 borders
Netanyahu-led Likud opens election campaign with attack on rival Kadima, charging new centrist party planning to withdraw from entire West Bank, divide Jerusalem
The Likud party launched its elections campaign with the slogan ‘Kadima (Forward) to the 1967 borders,’ an open attack at its main rival, claiming Kadima will withdraw from the entire West Bank.
The Likud believes the slogan is a warning to the public that Kadima will make generous territorial concessions to the Palestinians in a way that could greatly threaten Israel’s security.
Kadima’s policies towards the Palestinians, so Likud argues, will bring rocket attacks at Ben-Gurion International Airport and communities bordering on the West Bank. The Benjamin Netanyahu-led Likud will also warn Israelis that under Kadima Israel will go as far as giving up the Jordan Rift Valley and parts of Jerusalem, moves which strengthen Hamas’ position among Palestinians because it will take credit for liberating Palestinian territories.
“Olmert and Kadima are hiding their real political plan: An unconditional withdrawal to the 67 borders – a withdrawal that will immortalize the conflict and further Israel from security and peace,” Likud MK Gideon Sa’ar said.
Likud sources added: “They (Kadima) are trying to hide behind weak formulae but everything seems to point to one direction: A return to the 67 borders a move that will jeopardize the security of Israeli citizens.”
Olmert attacked
Likud members accused Kadima officials of camouflaging Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s political plans.
The Likud election campaign will highlight Olmert comments pointing to his political intentions. One sticker holds the quote: “We cannot transfer the Arabs, so we will transfer ourselves.” Sa’ar explained proudly: “There are plenty of quotes by Olmert that prove his intention to divide Jerusalem. It took us a long time to choose.
MK Yuval Steinitz stressed the differences between Olmert and Netanyahu: “For years Olmert’s political activities have been limited to wheeling and dealing when he served as Jerusalem Mayor. He received a city in a good state and handed it over poor, broke to the tune of over NIS 2 billion (USD 434 million), dirty and with a negative migration index. All this while Netanyahu gained experience as foreign minister and prime minister. In all relevant parameters Netanyahu’s advantage over Olmert is clear.”
Steintz said that in the coming days Likud will present a number of senior security experts who formulated an alternative security-political plan that will ensure security for Israel without forcing it into territorial concessions.
MK Gilad Erdan turned to the press with the appeal: “Give the people what they deserve in the elections. Make no concession to us or Kadima. Don’t let the public debate be marginalized as Kadima wishes.”
Meanwhile, the Likud does not intend to neglect economic and social issues.
“Likud will speak proudly of economic and social issues. Netanyahu saved the economy. Israeli citizens have not forgotten that before his term as finance minister shopping malls were empty. Everyone knows that thanks to his fiscal policies markets were uplifted. We will present a comprehensive plan to fight poverty and to solve social problems,” Sa’ar said.
Kadima issued the following response to the Likud campaign: “We took a decision not to comment, because that’s how the radical right conducts itself when it's under pressure."
