Likud activists, members urged to attend pro-Netanyahu rally
With Netanyahu depending of Likud activists, MKs and ministers to attend a rally in Tel Aviv Wednesday night in show of solidarity as he faces a host of corruption probes, divisions surface over whether to show up; ‘This is embarrassing,’ says one activist; ‘Netanyahu is the last barrier against the Left,’ says another.
Netanyahu himself is expected to show up to the solidarity rally, along with senior ministers and members of the Knesset.
However, some of those expected to attend have expressed reservations about the move. Gil Shmueli, chairman of a Likud-affiliated movement and a member of the Jabotinsky Institute, for example, issued a statement distancing his organizations from Netanyahu.
“Whoever lines up behind corruption, seemingly, or defends corruption, has no place in Likud. We don’t know what happened or what will be. The matter is being investigated and checked,” Shmueli said.
“We only know that every support rally that looks like a robotic rally, as a kind of masquerade ball, has no precedent in the Likud and it should not take place at all,” he continued.
“Because what exactly is the rally against? Is it against the police? The State Attorney’s Office? We have full confidence in the legal authorities and that is why every event like this is, in my opinion, embarrassing.”
At the other end of the spectrum was Likud’s Director of Communications Eli Hazan. “We are facing a witch hunt against Netanyahu. And we are going in order to support him,” Hazan explained.
“It isn’t only Netanyahu who stands at risk. We also do, because it is us in this case. Netanyahu is the last barrier against the Left.”
Despite Hazan’s stance, Shmueli was unconvinced, insisting that Netanyahu had corrupted the entire Likud party. “He castrated the institutions of the movement and turned it into a personal service tool,” according to Shmueli.
He also went as far as describing Netanyahu’s rule as “a dictatorship in every way. We don’t sanctify ‘Bitanism,’” he added in reference to efforts to garner support for Netanyahu by his loyalist and Coalition Chairperson David Bitan.
“We sanctify revisionism. We deserve new leadership which will lead the Likud to a better future."
In an apparent implication that Netanyahu was attempting to evade the law, Shmueli asked: “Why is Netanyahu fleeing abroad?” in reference to the numerous diplomatic trips he has recently embarked upon.
Shmueli also went on to scorn Netanyahu’s general leadership, highlighting what he considered to be a series of fundamental flaws.
“Why is he not taking care of the problems of the people of Israel? Instead, he removes metal detectors. He should have the balls to fight against terror.”
But according to Hazan, Shmueli’s sentiments were not shared by many who continue to stand unashamedly and unapologetically at the prime minister’s side through thick and thin. Indeed, he predicted that thousands would turn out to show their backing of Netanyahu.
“We will see today just how many turn up or don’t turn up. It will be a kind of test of strength,” Hazan said.
