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Likud MK Silvan Shalom (photo: Flash90)
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| By Israel Insider staff July 9, 2007 |
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Likud MK Silvan Shalom announced in a Tel Aviv press conference Monday that he would be withdrawing from the primary race against current chairman Binyamin Netanyahu.
"What is going on today in the Likud is reminiscent of the Baath party in Syria," Shalom stated, responding to Netanyahu's proposal last week to move internal Likud elections up to September 3.
"There are those who want to stage a coup, but I will not be a part of that," he added.
Shalom accused Netanyahu, a long-time rival, of being guided by polls, as he was previously while competing against former prime minister Ariel Sharon.
"Yet again Bibi has let emotions supersede logic and judgment," said Shalom, calling Netanyahu by his nickname. "Almost two years ago, In September 2005, Bibi read that he was beating Sharon, and he advanced the primaries," he said.
"What then happened to the Likud? We crashed. Today too, Bibi is reading polls and thinks he needs to act hastily. This exact process, I fear, will have exactly the same result," stated Shalom.
Shalom also accused Netanyahu of being too aggressive in his management of the party,
"Strong-arming our members has failed," Shalom warned. "I ask Bibi - do you want to drive others out of the Likud? Do you want to drive me out?"
He argued that this type of management had already lead prominent members t leave, such as former MKs Dan Meridor, David Levy, and Yitzhak Mordechai.
"Menachem Begin built the Likud as a cohesive organization. He made it a home for millions. But today, there are those in its leadership who are breaking it apart. Millions are leaving," Shalom said.
"No one, not even Bibi, will drive me out of my home. I was here before him, and I will stay in the Likud after him," he pledged.
Shalom predicted that the race would be between Netanyahu and Moshe Feiglin, head of the extreme-rightist Manhigut Yehudit (Jewish Leadership) Likud faction. "May the best man win," he said.
Netanyahu's aides dismissed Shalom's comments, saying, "Shalom explained his decision using lame excuses of someone who is about to be defeated."
Israel Radio had reported that a Ma'agar Muhot poll predicted only eight percent of Likud members would vote for Shalom, whereas 78 percent would vote for Netanyahu, and 14 percent for Feiglin. |
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