Berla Crombie Urges Israeli Right to Reclaim Clear Ideological Battle in Upcoming Elections

Berla Crombie, chairman of the Tekuma movement and a key organizer of the recent Right Conference in Tel Aviv, emphasized in a Channel 7 interview that the upcoming Israeli elections will be decided on ideological grounds rather than personal rivalries or party lists. He criticized the recent blurring of distinctions between right and left political camps and called on the national camp to clearly articulate its vision and principles.

Crombie rejected the notion that the conflict over the Land of Israel and issues like the Palestinian state or settlement future are no longer relevant. He warned of a real threat to the settlement enterprise, citing a panelist's remark that hundreds of settlements could be dismantled within a week if a government with a different worldview takes power. He stressed that political achievements are fragile and can quickly vanish.

Regarding election figures, Crombie labeled former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot as left-wing, citing his policies in Gaza and the West Bank. He also dismissed potential cooperation with Yoaz Hendel and Tzvi Tropper, calling them unequivocally leftists who opposed settlement construction. Conversely, he expressed trust in figures like Yuli Edelstein, Gilad Erdan, and Ayelet Shaked for their clear ideological commitments.

Crombie criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for favoring broad coalition governments, suggesting this approach may not be best for Israel and urging Netanyahu to reduce his "statist" tendencies. He acknowledged serious disagreements within the national camp, especially with ultra-Orthodox parties over issues like military conscription and housing, but affirmed the alliance with the Haredi public as a natural and strategic partnership.

In conclusion, Crombie stated that the real battle in the elections is whether the right-wing camp will redefine itself ideologically and present voters with a clear choice between distinct paths for Israel’s future, warning against confusion or concealment of fundamental differences.