Bennett Confronts Ohana on Likud's Direction Ahead of Elections
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett challenged Likud supporter Eli Ohana in a pre-election radio interview, arguing the party has strayed from its foundational principles. Bennett criticized the current Likud's associations and policies, while Ohana defended the party, preferring it over a coalition with Arab parties. Bennett also voiced concerns about potential troop shortages impacting any future military action against Iran.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Naftali Bennett accused the current Likud party of abandoning its core values and principles.
- Eli Ohana defended the Likud, stating he prefers it over a government with Arab parties.
- Bennett argued that the Likud has changed significantly since the days of Begin and Shamir.
- Bennett expressed concern over potential troop shortages for any future war with Iran.
- Bennett suggested his bloc is close to achieving a 61-seat majority.
- Bennett invoked Menachem Begin's legacy of unity and healing.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett engaged in a pointed interview with Eli Ohana on 103FM radio, just a day before elections, questioning the current direction of the Likud party. Bennett, addressing Ohana as a national symbol, stated that the Likud he and Ohana grew up supporting, which backed leaders like Begin and Shamir, is not the same party today. He criticized the Likud for embracing figures associated with Qatar and those who allegedly call IDF soldiers "infidels" or take housing units from discharged soldiers for draft dodgers.
Bennett asserted that "we didn't leave the Likud, the Likud left us," expressing confidence that Ohana, a proud Likudnik, could not personally justify the party's current stance. Ohana, however, defended his allegiance, stating he would "a thousand times prefer this government over a government with Mansour Abbas and the Arab parties," warning that such a coalition would be a disaster.
Responding to Ohana's concerns about potential coalitions with Arab parties, Bennett argued that national and liberal forces within Likud should support him, as his bloc is close to achieving 61 seats. He invoked the legacy of Menachem Begin, emphasizing unity and healing a "wounded nation," contrasting it with what he described as the divisive tactics of the current Likud.
Regarding reports of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considering initiating a war with Iran, Bennett expressed caution. "I don't sit on the intelligence today," he said, adding that "if we are going to another big, initiated regional war, you need soldiers, and right now there are no soldiers." He cited a recent experience near the Gaza border where residents complained about soldiers being withdrawn from their defense, indicating a shortage of personnel.
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