After Trump’s remarks, Likud says Netanyahu will run in the next election

Benjamin Netanyahu comments for the first time on the strikes in Iran and the situation in Lebanon / Maariv

The Likud party announced today, Wednesday, in light of remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, that “Prime Minister Netanyahu will run in the next election, and with God’s help he will win.” As noted, part of an interview conducted by ABC reporter Jonathan Karl with the American president was revealed yesterday, ahead of the NBA Finals game between the New York Knicks and San Antonio. During their conversation, Trump referred to the upcoming elections in Israel and to the prime minister, and surprised viewers by claiming that he was “not sure Netanyahu even wants to run.”

The race for the primaries, and the many fears

While the ruling party prepares for primaries, it is impossible not to notice the feeling that people are fighting for their political lives. A senior minister put it this way to Walla: “The math is simple, if the party today, including New Hope and the Norwegians, has 44 members, and let’s say the party does not fall below 32 seats like in the current Knesset, and assuming Netanyahu gets five reserved slots and another five district representatives, then the number of places incumbent Knesset members can compete for is 22, meaning one out of every two is expected to stay out of the Knesset.” This, as noted, is causing many tensions in the ruling party.

At the same time, there is harsh criticism within the party that Knesset members rarely show up for committee meetings. Whether on the draft law in most of the debates, apart from Edelstein who opposes it, few Likud Knesset members have participated in Distel’s Communications Committee, and she is almost always alone. Also on Walla, subscribe to Walla fiber and upgrade your browsing and television experience cheaply! In partnership with Walla Fiber.

Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside MK Vaturi and ministers Golan and Karhi / Flash 90, Chaim Goldberg

Even Kalner, who is leading the bill for the state commission of inquiry, does not see significant support from Knesset members. In the first discussion that took place, attendance was sparse and partial. “We are the most miserable, we do not get backing from the ministers or the party. Everything we manage is with our own ten fingers. It is galling to see the backing that Knesset members from other coalition parties receive. Likud is not working together, there are no faction meetings, and because of the primaries everyone thinks it is impossible. Netanyahu, who is running the event, apparently thinks it is good that everyone is fighting and at odds with everyone else,” said a Likud Knesset member.