Yaron Zelicha Slams Netanyahu, Denies Kaplan Protest Ties

Professor Yaron Zelicha, chairman of the Economic Party, launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Channel 7 conference, stating his intention to demand the Finance Ministry portfolio and clarifying that his party would negotiate with both political blocs. Zelicha, who is running in the upcoming elections alongside Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists Party, also addressed an earlier confrontation with Channel 12 commentator Amit Segal, accusing him of spreading falsehoods.

The dispute with Segal began during a discussion on the conference stage. Segal claimed that Zelicha's party had refused to grant interviews, while Zelicha's aide denied this. Segal further criticized Zelicha's past economic reforms and jokingly stated he would not vote for him, though he offered to host Zelicha on his program, "Meet the Press." Zelicha then challenged Segal to a one-on-one live interview, which Segal declined, citing the show's recorded format and the involvement of another interviewer, Ben Caspit.

In a subsequent interview with Channel 7, Zelicha escalated his criticism of Channel 12, attributing their alleged animosity to his past battles against tycoons and large business groups during his tenure at the Ministry of Finance. He cited his actions against prominent families and businessmen, asserting that these powerful entities, which he identified as "enemies of Coca-Cola, Tnuva, and Strauss," advertise on commercial channels while harming the public.

Zelicha also vehemently denied Netanyahu's reported claims that he was part of the Kaplan protest movement or aligned with the left due to his opposition to the gas outline. Zelicha stated he was only on Kaplan Street with Netanyahu during economic reforms and questioned why the Prime Minister would knowingly spread untruths. He criticized Netanyahu's gas outline, claiming revenue projections were unmet and that the profits were already secured by Netanyahu's associates, causing irreparable economic damage.

Furthermore, Zelicha criticized former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, alleging that figures associated with cronyism from the Olmert government were backing him. He positioned his party's agenda as a fight against the high cost of living, corruption, and draft evasion. Zelicha asserted his right-wing credentials, contrasting them with Netanyahu's policies, which he claimed weakened the military and reduced public services. He reiterated his opposition to a Palestinian state and pledged to strengthen settlements.

Zelicha declared his ambition to be a kingmaker in the next government, negotiating with both blocs to avoid dependence on Arab parties or those opposing the conscription of Haredim. He stated his party would hold the balance of power, asserting that Netanyahu no longer governs alone. Zelicha concluded by linking the criticized conduct to failures leading to the October 7th events, stating, "These bluffs brought us to October 7th."