Netanyahu's Offer to Beid Sheva Mayor Rubik Danilovich Rejected

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently extended a significant offer to the mayor of Beid Sheva, Rubik Danilovich, aiming to recruit him for the Likud party's Knesset list. Netanyahu had previously approached Danilovich in past election cycles, but this time presented a particularly enticing proposal: the third spot on the Likud list, a senior ministerial position, and the role of deputy prime minister. Internal polls reportedly indicated that Danilovich was seen as a unifying and popular figure, making him a desirable candidate for Netanyahu.

While Danilovich did not immediately reject the offer, as he had in the past, and was willing to consider it, he ultimately decided to decline. After being asked to deliberate overnight and then for a few more days, Danilovich formally refused Netanyahu's offer. This decision comes as Netanyahu has been actively seeking to bring prominent local authority leaders into his party's ranks, including the mayors of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut and Dimona.

These mayors, at this stage, appear to be positioning themselves as unifying figures for the post-election period and are thus declining such political overtures. In a February interview with Channel 12 News, Danilovich acknowledged receiving previous offers from Netanyahu for high positions, which he had chosen to reject. He also stated that while he has never voted for Netanyahu, he has also never agreed to hate him, expressing significant personal respect for the Prime Minister and acknowledging his past accomplishments.