Longtime Likud Voter Switches to Bennett, Citing Party's Extremism
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Moti Goldman, a 69-year-old retiree from Rishon LeZion, announced he will vote for Naftali Bennett in the next election after decades of supporting the Likud party. Goldman cited the Likud's perceived shift towards extremism, including support for settlements in Gaza and inaction against settler violence, as reasons for his decision. He believes the party has become too aggressive, particularly regarding the judicial reform, and no longer represents his views. This change reflects a broader trend of voters re-evaluating their political allegiances.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Moti Goldman, a 69-year-old retiree, is switching his vote from Likud to Naftali Bennett.
- Goldman cites the Likud party's shift towards extremism and aggressive judicial reform as reasons for his decision.
- He criticizes calls for re-settling Gaza and the lack of response to settler violence against Palestinians.
- Goldman believes the current Likud party is unrecognizable and has become "Kahane's party B."
- He sees Bennett as representing the "liberal, sane right" and aligning with his views.
Moti Goldman, a 69-year-old retiree from Rishon LeZion, has decided to switch his vote in the upcoming elections after decades of supporting the Likud party. Goldman, whose family has lived in the city for over 90 years, explained that while he initially supported Likud believing it was the best leadership for Israel, his doubts grew over time. He continued to vote for the party, he said, primarily because he saw no suitable alternative. However, his concerns solidified with the proposed judicial reform, even before the current war, which he described as aggressive and cruel, disregarding over half the nation.
Goldman also criticized the Likud party itself, stating it has undergone a significant ideological shift and become more extreme than in the past. He specifically mentioned calls for re-establishing Israeli settlements in Gaza and ideas for settlements in southern Lebanon as points of contention. He further expressed disapproval of violence by "hilltop youth" against Palestinians, lamenting what he perceives as a lack of sufficient response from authorities, which he characterized as a "silent agreement."
He believes the current Likud party is unrecognizable from its past, comparing it to "Kahane's party B." After struggling to find a candidate aligned with his views, Goldman has decided to vote for Naftali Bennett, whom he sees as representing the "liberal, sane right" and being closest to his current opinions.
This story is part of the "Changing Direction" project by ynet and "100שטח," which features Israelis from across the political spectrum discussing their voting intentions and what has changed their minds since the last election.
