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Benjamin Netanyahu
Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg

Netanyahu gathers support for merger

Prime minister invites 50 activists to his J'lem residence to illustrate importance of approval of Yisrael Beiteinu merger, ahead of Likud Central Committee vote

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday invited 50 Likud mayors and council heads to his residence to convey the importance of their approval of the Yisrael Beiteinu merger on Monday's Likud Central Committee vote.

 

The majority of the participants left the meeting satisfied with Netanyahu's statements. One activist noted that Netanyahu had warned them of the repercussions if the merger falls through. "I don't want to tell you what would happen if this doesn't pass," the prime minister allegedly said.

 

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Nevertheless, Netanyahu promised the activists that the move will strengthen the Likud and stressed that only the electoral lists, not the parties, will be uniting. "The meeting went very well," said Netivot branch head Zion Buskila. "Most of us will endorse the merger."

 

But not all of the activists were as supportive. "Do you really think that they would let Ivet (Avigdor Lieberman) steal away the Likud," one Likud activist said. "We all know this isn't really a union. It was meant to enable Netanyahu to retain the prime minister's seat.

 

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"The day after the election, the Likud Central Committee will vote for a split. Do you really think that Gideon Sa'ar. Moshe Ya'alom, Haim Katz and Yisrael Katz will allow Yisrael Beiteinu to steal away the party?"

 

'We need to give it time'

Deputy Rishon Lezion Mayor David Bitan said, "I don't have a final position on the matter. I spoke to many Likud activists who have yet to get their heads around the merger. I think we need to give it some time to see if we lose mandates."

 

Ma'ale Adumim Mayor Benny Kashriel said he would endorse the merger even prior to the meeting. "The merger will benefit the party and the State of Israel. No more small parties blackmailing the state."

 

Vice Premier Silvan Shalom also addressed the matter on Sunday. "I ask myself will this bring us more mandates and I hear many people thinking it won't."

 

Speaking at a conference in Ramat Hasharon, Shalom said, "We need to hold a discussion on the merger. We need to do everything to maintain hegemony and not be led."

  

Yuval Karni contributed to this report

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.29.12, 00:46
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