On the outs? Netanyahu
Photo: AFP
Likud angry at Bibi
Likud officials unimpressed by Chairman Netanyahu’s ‘foolish’ moves
- Part two of political analysis
If by now polls are already hitting Labor party officials hard, then after Livni is elected to lead Kadima the momentum she will enjoy is expected to push Labor further down in the polls, towards a single-digit figure. “They have no reason to go to elections,” Likud officials estimate. “They will make significant compromises and continue to serve within the government for some time. We, meanwhile, will continue to wait outside the government.”
For the time being, tempers flared within Likud this week after Netanyahu started checking whether serving Knesset members are willing to assist him in reserving spots for 10 new “stars” on the Knesset list, in exchange for reserving the spots of the current 11 Knesset members.
Part 1
Attila Somfalvi
Political sources increasingly convinced that Livni will win primaries, replace Olmert
This plan, which to everyone was clearly a no-go to begin with, aroused the fury of most Knesset members (with the possible exception of Yuval Steinitz,) as well as the anger of many “field activists” and potential contenders who felt they would be marginalized and pushed back on the list. Yet more than anything, this notion angered senior Likud figures. Again, they saw Netanyahu engaging in an issue he fails to comprehend: Politics.
“We’re in a good spot right now,” one senior figure said. “We would be in an even better position had Bibi not been doing foolish things once in a while. The evidence that attests to our good situation is the series of opportunists that joined us recently.” Likud’s serving Knesset members show contempt to the list of “stars” added by Netanyahu recently and refer to it as a “joke.” They are of course referring to Uzi Dayan, Assaf Hefetz, and various other names that change every day and are mentioned as potential additions.
What about Russian vote?
The one person not considered a joke, despite being controversial, is former IDF Chief of Staff Bugi Yaalon. Likud officials are now estimating that Yaalon is expected to announce that he is joining the movement around Rosh Hashana. “He is planning to publish a book that will slam quite a few people, and this will create a huge mess,” a senior Likud member says. “He is indeed controversial, yet he is neither Dayan nor Hefetz. It is estimated that should Yaalon join, he will be reserved a high spot on the party’s Knesset list. Nobody will oppose such move.In addition to Yaalon, Netanyahu will attempt to reserve spots for three or four more figures, including one or two Russian speakers.
For the time being, there are two significant players in the Russia-speaking sector: Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman. Every vote counts, and Netanyahu realizes he needs to get a serious figure who would boost his strength in the Russian sector.
Yet in order to do that, he will need to reserve a spot for such person. Therefore, his plan to reserve 10 spots will apparently shrink to three to five spots – serving Knesset members would be able to swallow such move. “Elections are not won because one character or another joins,” a senior Likud figure says. “It makes no difference.”
“Netanyahu’s mistake,” another Likud official says, “is similar to Barak’s mistake. Barak started losing his way and becoming weaker when he started messing with the party’s charter and inside politics. Netanyahu needs to be patient and refrain from dealing with politics now. He needs to avoid inside politics, because he will be hit…internal politics is a disaster area – those who want to be spared should stay away.”
