Eyeing the sector. Netanyahu
Photo: Yaron Brener
Bibi: Israel must restore national pride
Likud chairman presents immigrants' headquarters to press, promises to push issue of civil marriage, keep Education portfolio away from Shas; says rocket fire on western Negev unacceptable
Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu called a press conference Wednesday aimed at introducing the party's immigrants' headquarters to the press, ahead of the nearing general elections.
Introductions aside, Netanyahu quickly turned his attention to the escalation in southern Israel.
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"I will not accept this situation," he told Ynet. "I can’t think of any other country that would do nothing when faced with constant rocket fire. We have to go from a policy of compliance to one of assault. We have to restore our national pride.
"The current situation in unbearable and we will change that. The resident of southern Israel will not abide having an Iranian base in the Negev," he said.
Referring back to the Likud's aspiration within the immigrant community, Netanyahu said that "we care about the immigrants not just when in comes to the elections, but when it comes to the leadership of this country, as well."
When asked about his opinion on civil marriage – an issue Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni has pledged to push on behalf of the community - Netanyahu said that "we will issue a detailed manifest, led by the premise that we must find a wide-range solution to the problem."
As for the Russian community's concern that Shas will get hold of the Education portfolio, Netanyahu asked to reassure the voters that "the Likud will keep the Education portfolio. I intend to form a wide coalition, which will see to the needs of all sector of the society."
A Likud-led government, he reiterated, will never make any concession in the Golan Heights.
Knesset Member Yuli Edelstein, who will head the party's immigrants' headquarters, added that the party aims at getting seven to eight mandates from its Russian voters.
"It's a challenge, but it's not impossible," he said.
