Knesset Member Tibi Claims Netanyahu Sent Envoy to Sway His Vote
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sending representatives to pressure him regarding a law that would prevent criminal defendants from serving as prime minister. Tibi presented messages from Netanyahu's confidant, Natan Eshel, as evidence. The Likud party denied the allegations, calling them "absolute lies" and accusing Tibi's parties of supporting terrorism. In a separate incident, Tibi shared a modified note from Miriam Perez, whose son is a Knesset member, referencing past interactions during her presidential bid.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi claims PM Netanyahu sent representatives to sway his vote on key legislation.
- Tibi presented messages from Netanyahu's confidant, Natan Eshel, as proof of the alleged pressure.
- The Likud party denied Tibi's claims, calling them "absolute lies" and accusing his parties of supporting terrorism.
- Tibi also shared a modified note from Miriam Perez, referencing her past presidential campaign.
- The alleged pressure was related to a law preventing criminal defendants from serving as prime minister.
Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List stated on Friday evening, November 13, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had recently sent representatives to him in an effort to dissuade Tibi from joining Gadi Eisenkot's government and from supporting a law that would prevent a criminal defendant from holding the prime minister's office. Appearing on Channel 12's "Ofira - Ohana - Seri" program, Tibi showed his mobile phone, claiming he received messages from Natan Eshel, an advisor and confidant to Netanyahu. Tibi asserted that Netanyahu, through Eshel, sought to prevent support for the "defendant's law" in the weeks leading up to and following recent elections. Tibi also alleged that on election day, Netanyahu's representatives tried to prevent Tibi's party from joining Eisenkot, and that two days prior, a minister approached him suggesting new elections would be preferable to a government involving Tibi's party. Tibi responded to the minister by stating their goal was to oust Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir, not to hold new elections. He directly addressed Netanyahu, calling him a "provocateur" who spreads hatred.
The Likud party responded to Tibi's claims, calling them "absolute lies" and part of a pattern of "false statements from parties supporting terrorism" seeking legitimacy. Likud stated it does not cooperate with parties that disrespect the national anthem or harm IDF soldiers, emphasizing that "National Unity is a requirement of the time."
Separately, Tibi criticized Miriam Perez, mother of Knesset Member Eliassaf Perez, after Perez stated her son would leave the Knesset if an "Arab" government were formed. Tibi recalled an incident from about five years ago when Perez was a presidential candidate. Staff from her campaign left a note on Tibi's office door asking for his support, which read, "Dear Ahmad, the people have already made their choice. Now it's your turn to choose with your heart. Everything is in your hands!" Tibi posted an altered version of this note on social media platform X, changing the text to: "Dear Ahmad, my son does not want to sit with you because you are Arabs. I prefer Netanyahu to remain prime minister. Everything is in your hands."
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