"The common denominator for all Likud members is the desire for peace and security," Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu said at a party rally in Tel Aviv on Sunday.
"Instead of running from terrorism, we will fight it. And alongside this we will hold negotiations based on realism, while maintaining our interests," he said.
The Likud chief, who confirmed that the party's primary elections will be held December 8, also laid out his economic plan, saying "we will create more jobs and when the time comes provide a security net for the citizens' pension funds."
Former MK Benny Begin, who rejoined Likud after a decade out of politics, spoke of the conduct of Israel's various governments over the past 15 years, saying: "At first there are sky-high hopes and the warning signs are ignored. Then it becomes apparent that they have no idea how to calculate risks… and that is what happened after the Oslo Accords and the disengagement (from Gaza)."
Begin thanked members of the Likud's central committee for their warm, enthusiastic response to this return to the party.
Likud Faction Chairman MK Gideon Sa`ar told those on hand that during the general elections, scheduled for February 10, voters will be offered a choice between a "rejuvenated Likud and Kadima's failed path of unilateral withdrawals and concessions that has brought rockets on north and south Israel."
"There is no (ideological) difference between (Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert and (Foreign Minister Tzipi) Livni; they are like Siamese twins in this respect."