Likud MK Moshe Saada Expects Security Incident With Iran This Week Amid Political Tensions

Likud Member of Knesset Moshe Saada addressed the escalating security tensions with Iran in a detailed interview, highlighting the direct impact on Israel's political landscape and his party's internal preparations ahead of upcoming elections. Saada stated, "The assumption is that there will be an incident with Iran this week," reflecting the heightened alert within Israel's defense and political circles. He emphasized that national security considerations take precedence over political processes, noting that if no extraordinary security event occurs, the Likud primaries will proceed as planned.

Saada discussed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent announcement that in the event of a major escalation with Iran, internal party elections might be canceled and the Knesset candidate list would be determined by a special committee. While this move has sparked criticism within Likud, Saada defended it as a necessary step if the security situation demands it. He also downplayed concerns about the party's reserved slots on the candidate list, describing the seven reserved positions up to number 30 as beneficial for strengthening the national list.

Regarding the security situation, Saada painted a concerning picture but reassured listeners about Israel's deterrence capabilities. He noted that Iran appears cautious about directly attacking Israeli territory, instead launching missiles toward Jordan, reflecting fear of a strong Israeli response. Saada stressed the importance of prioritizing Israel's security amid these complex developments.

On internal party dynamics, Saada expressed confidence in the 145,000 Likud members and their desire for ideological and professional candidates. He supports the inclusion of significant reserved slots for representatives of the reserves, families of hostages, and border communities, arguing these groups cannot effectively compete in the demanding primary system. Saada also acknowledged the necessity of allowing new Knesset members to emerge from local constituencies, a stance supported by fellow MK David Bitan. He described the internal negotiations as a "Mediterranean bazaar" but concluded that a fair compromise was reached to serve both the party and the country.