Sinai. Not a politician
Photo: Dalit Shacham
Singer Arik Sinai joins Yisrael Beiteinu
Former Labor Party member takes a sharp turn, announces his support for Avigdor Lieberman's right-wing party
Singer Arik Sinai, who has been a member of the Labor Party
for years, decided recently to join the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu
movement.
"Sinai represents the good old Land of Israel which we yearn for so much," Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman said Thursday.
Lieberman's Ambassador
Yuval Karni
Daniel Ayalon says realized right-wing party is natural his home after reading its platform. 'Lieberman is the most suitable person for prime minister,' he adds
Sinai met with Lieberman several times over the past few weeks, took part in a supporters' meeting in Caesarea and eventually decided to become an active party member.
"I'm not a politician, but I've had enough of sitting on my couch in front of the television and complaining," Sinai told Yedioth Ahronoth on Thursday. "I contacted Lieberman, after meeting with him I decided to join his party. I'll support him in terms of entertainment and PR."
Sinai added that he has no plans to run for Knesset on behalf of the party, at least at this point. "I wasn't promised any portfolio or role, and we didn’t even discuss the Knesset. I'll support Lieberman in everything he asks me to," the singer said.
As for his political changeover, Sinai said, "I come from a Polish home. When I once tried to deviate from the 'Emet' (Labor Party) ballot, my family was very angry with me. All my life I voted Labor. If my parents were alive, I'm not sure they would be happy with my decision."
Lieberman has been trying to turn Yisrael Beiteinu into a party appealing to a more veteran Israeli public, rather than just new immigrants. Former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Daniel Ayalon recently expressed his support for Lieberman.
The Yisrael Beiteinu leader recently admitted that he had made mistakes in regards to some of the people on his Knesset list. Now he is attempting to include veteran Israelis at the expense of Russian immigrants.
"Sinai is one of the most important figures in Israeli culture," he said Thursday. "I'm glad he decided to join us."
