Netanyahu Threatens Early Elections in Response to 'Leave' Campaign
World
Tel Aviv- Nazir Majli
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to end the alliance with the Blue and White party and call for early elections, after Gilad Sharon joined the “Leave” campaign calling for his resignation. Parliamentary coalition whip Miki Zohar said that national responsibility prevents Israel from holding elections amid the coronavirus pandemic, but as long as Washington will be conducting elections in these circumstances, Tel Aviv can as well. Zohar indicated that the campaign calling on Netanyahu to resign ignores the fact that he was elected in a democratic process, where over two million voters expressed their desire to see him as prime minister. The MP, one of Netanyahu’s allies, announced that the Likud is ready to immediately run for elections, stressing that Netanyahu is an excellent prime minister. Gilad, the son of the former prime minister Ariel Sharon, had published an article accusing the Likud members of “cowardice” because they are afraid to confront Netanyahu even though they know he is a bad man. He described the Likud as the most important democratic party in Israel, whose former leaders always put the interest of the nation before that of the party, and the interest of the party before their personal interests. “Today, we have a leader who puts his personal interest” above all, said Gilad, claiming Likud members are afraid to speak against Netanyahu because they would be accused of leftism and treason, which could lead to their expulsion from the party. “This is a tragic situation that threatens not only the Likud, rather, the entire democratic life.” Ynet daily also accused Netanyahu in its editorial of negligence in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and its economic repercussions. The newspaper said the public had lost confidence in the leadership due to Netanyahu's behavior in looking after his own benefits rather than the nation’s. Tourism Minister Asaf Zamir resigned from the government in protest of its failed policies, and he revealed that Minister of Science and Technology Izhar Shay might also resign. Zamir said Shay strongly criticized Netanyahu saying the public looked for responsible leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, hoping that the country would survive the massive crisis. Netanyahu and Benny Gantz established a coalition government for the sake of the public, and after five months of its formation, people have lost hope, according to Shay. “Netanyahu is busy suppressing the demonstrations.” Netanyahu's son, Yair, responded by saying the elections have become an inevitable necessity. After the formation of the coalition government, Netanyahu was excited about the elections. However, that changed after polls showed that his popularity has declined, and in case of elections, the PM would lose seven or eight seats in favor of the far-right political alliance, Yamina, led by Naftali Bennett. People close to Netanyahu say he still prefers Benny Gantz as an alternate prime minister, rather than forming a coalition with a “tiring partner” like Bennett.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2549331/netanyahu-threatens-early-elections-response-leave-campaign
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