Netanyahu Accused of Hollowing Out Likud Party, Leaving Only a Shell
The Likud party, once a prominent national-liberal force known for its leaders, ideology, and internal debates, has been "destroyed" by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leaving behind only a "rotting shell," according to a critical analysis. The party, which once championed the judicial system and advocated for a liberal-nationalist stance, is now described as devoid of content and substance.
The article contends that Netanyahu has transformed party members into "inferior, obedient creatures" who blindly follow his directives. This has resulted in a lack of significant candidates willing to join the party, with no prominent security figures or public figures of repute willing to commit themselves. The analysis points to the party's current list of candidates, noting a severe underrepresentation of women in the top 20 positions and a lack of religious figures in the leading ranks.
Specific individuals are highlighted as examples of the party's decline. Miri Regev is mentioned as the only senior security figure, while Avi Dichter, a former Shin Bet chief, is criticized for abandoning his moral and ethical backbone to become a "carpet" for the Netanyahu family. Nir Barkat is described as reaching the "bottom of the barrel," and former MKs May Golan, Tali Gottlieb, Hanoch Milwidsky, Idit Silman, and Avi Dichter are all mentioned in a negative light, with the author suggesting their departures or positions within the party are not mourned.
The piece suggests that many politicians, including Dichter, joined Likud with the hope of succeeding Netanyahu as Prime Minister, only to see their aspirations fade. The author laments the perceived waste of resources and political capital spent on elevating Netanyahu and his allies, questioning if a different outcome could have been achieved with less.
The analysis concludes by suggesting that Netanyahu might still reserve spots on the list for certain individuals, potentially pushing others further down, turning them into "perfect grotesques."
