On his way out? Bibi at Likud headquarters on Election Day
Photo: AP
Senior Likud member: Bibi has to go
Knives already drawn in party that collapsed in elections. Four former ministers intend on demanding Chairman Netanyahu go home. One of them tells Ynet: After he caused us such a crash, he has no other option
Four senior Likud members are determined to put an end to the political future of party Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu: Former Likud ministers Silvan Shalom, Limor Livnat, Danny Naveh, and Yisrael Katz chose not to show up last night at party headquarters to hear their leader's conceding speech following Likud's poor showing in Tuesday's Knesset elections.
All four practically became a new faction of "rebels" with one cause – to send their leader home and to hold primaries in what remained of the Likud party.
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One of the four told Ynet on Wednesday: "Bibi has to go home. It's clear as daylight. We prefer that he would get it and leave on good terms. If not on good terms, than he will have to leave on bad terms. After he caused us such a crash he has no other option."
‘Netanyahu should reach personal decisions’
The senior Likud member continued: "Bibi, who drove us to historic low, cannot stay as the chairman of the party, and he shouldn't pose as the 'rehabilitator'. What else needs to happen so the Likud will remain alive, breathing, and relevant? In the country we're living in, there is a chance for the Likud to make a comeback and become a central factor in the government.
"But for that to happen, we can and should take steps to turn it (the Likud) into a relevant party. Bibi cannot take these steps. It's a bad joke played on the Likud. Every action of his is 'fake'; you won't find any substantial action, and that's how he conducted himself during this campaign. Everything is a bluff to him."
Silvan Shalom on the other hand, decided on keeping vague communication meant to allow him to weigh his next political moves quietly. An associate of Shalom told Ynet: "We need to probe deeply how the Likud became that way. In searching the findings, there is no doubt that Netanyahu should reach personal decisions. It is way beyond personal issues.”
A somber atmosphere surrounds Bibi's associates. Their perception was that once the results were in, Shalom would try to dismiss Netanyahu in favor of joining Kadima. Shalom's associates don't deny that such a move could be a bi-product of the dynamic politics that may take place.
