3 New Hope MKs say they won’t remain committed to ‘never Bibi’ bloc if Knesset is charged with electing PM

‘New Hope MKs will back Netanyahu as PM’ , Likud MK Shlomo Karhi claims.

By Hezki Baruch, TOI , May 25 , 2021 12:05 PM

New Hope MKs
New Hope MKs

Three opposition lawmakers from the New Hope party are considering joining a Likud-led government, a Likud MK claimed Tuesday morning, despite their party’s commitment not to sit in a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

MK Shlomo Karhi (Likud) told Yediot Aharanot Tuesday morning that three New Hope MKs had announced to party chairman Gideon Sa’ar that they will not consider themselves obligated to the party line vis-à-vis refusing to back Netanyahu, should Opposition Leader Yair Lapid’s mandate to form a government expire, sending the mandate to the Knesset.

Karhi said that if the mandate does go to the Knesset, Netanyahu’s ability to form a government will hinge solely on Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett, claiming that at least two of the three New Hope MKs in question would join the new Likud-led coalition.

“Bennett is still trying to form a divisive government which deems half of the people in Israel unacceptable. But if that really is off the table, then when we get to the last 21 days, there’ll be a right-wing government. [At least] two [MKs] from New Hope will come. They won’t be deserters [from the party], they just have promised to sit in a right-wing government.”

When asked which New Hope lawmakers could join a Likud-backed government, Karhi claimed that former minister Ze’ev Elkin, Yoaz Hendel, and Sharren Haskel have all indicated to Sa’ar that they could back a Likud-led government if the mandate goes to the Knesset.

“They’re all loyal to Sa’ar – until the end of Lapid’s mandate. Once the mandate ends, even Elkin and Hendel will jump from party to party.”

The New Hope MKs denied Karhi’s claims.

“That’s how you create spin,” tweeted Haskel. “We are all committed and united around Gideon Sa’ar. Karhi is lying, and that is the only way to get ahead in politics after he screwed up and hurt the Likud in the last election.”

May 25, 2021 | 19 Comments »

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  1. Arutz Shev reporting Bennet has agreed to join Lapid and formal anouncement will be completed this weekend.

    Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett has agreed to form a government with Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, Channel 12 News’ Amit Segal reported on Friday.

    The report comes a day after Bennett met with Lapid to discuss the possibility of forming a unity government together, without notifying his fellow Yamina lawmakers prior to the meeting.

    According to Friday’s report, the new Bennett-Lapid government would be sworn in in 10 days. Bennett will be Prime Minister until September 2023, and Lapid will then replace him and serve in the role until November 2025.

    An official announcement on the matter is due out as early as Saturday night or no later than Sunday.

    The report noted that there are still members of Yamina, notably Ayelet Shaked, who are less enthusiastic about joining such a government.

    Segal noted that if it were up to Bennett, the “government of change” with Lapid would have already been formed, since Bennett believes that when the dust settles, the right-wing camp or at least part of it will go with him and he will be able to recover there.

    Shaked, on the other hand, is not as eager about joining the government as she will merely serve as Interior Minister without an opportunity to serve as Prime Minister. She also has an offer for a guaranteed spot on the Likud slate in the next election should she choose not to go with Bennett, noted Segal.

    https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/307080

    This will prove to a great mistake if true.

  2. @ Edgar G.:

    A man of Netanyahu’s talents will NOT arise from those you mention

    Of course not, that is why I suggested they might consider the local barber. G_d willing Bibi will continue, for failing that it is too likely that we will find ourselves ultimately on a path that will likely lead to great ruin.

    The stakes at present are that great.

  3. (2 of 2)
    @ Reader:
    Meanwhile, your suggestion that Bibi’s support is only due to his PR capabilities(which is among his greatest personal assets) rather than his record speaks unfairly of both his acumen and his supporters faithful attentions to the state. I do understand you see me and others like me – whose support has led to Bibi remaining in control of the greatest political faction for over a decade(within democracies, this is no small feat) – as if we are some mindless adolecent fanboys whose starlit obsession with a favorite sports team needlessly sways us from consideration of the best interests of the state and towards what is, rather, in the best interest of Bibi. I can definitively assure you, Reader, my enduring support for Bibi is not that as my support is not so easily won nor so easily maintained. But neither can it heedlessly be displaced. I have read the criticisms you find value in. I have fairly addressed them previously. I tell you perfect solutions to complex problems such as Gaza, though desired by us all, are not in within our grasp and acceding towards such unwise steps would place the state in future perils, left isolated and incapable of a competent responses.

    I don’t dispute your analysis of the many international supporters of the two-state solution or the devastation their plans hold for us. They are using proposed Israeli sacrifices to purchase good will with the Arab nations and among their growing Islamist communities as it is an easy sacrifice for a foreign power to sell our security so cheaply. They are the same cast of politico’s who have sponsored and supported this fatal solution for 30 years which Bibi has been empowered to oppose and has continue to confound for more than a decade, now. And yes, as silly as you may find it, it was due to his political senses that he has been capable of break dancing across a tight-wire and playing a violin without spilling his drink. It has been something to behold, though such capabilities fail to impress you, it is why the two state solution was not implemented long ago and why our battle for existence has not yet been lost.

    You may find some umbrage from my statements here, as you seem to easily take my responses to your thoughts personally. You should not as I mean you no grudge, but we do not agree and it is likely that only time with unfolding events is likely to displace what I see as your unwise and unfair criticisms of Bibi and his supporters. I only hope he is capable of continuing across that tight-wire long enough to once again lead us in weathering the terrible tempest we are now struggling against as, among others, I see him as the only one who might successfully have the competence to complete such an impossible task.
    /2

  4. (1 of 2)
    @ Reader:
    I am aware of Bibi’s record – his failures, which I have fairly addressed, are few and lay pale in comparison to his great successes. I am admittedly among “Bibi’s admirers” as you suggest but I believe he has fairly earned such admiration for tempering his responses among his many battles with the forces(both domestic and foreign) whose goals if met would have meant the destruction of the state long ago. The tempering of such responses, while at times, have resulted in less than perfect solutions, they maintained Israel’s ability to keep the ship afloat while weathering the battles among his many and growing enemies(here and abroad). To state it differently, an isolated victory might gain a momentary victory, it would have brought much support to Obama at a time such support would have had devastating consequences for Israel. It is an example of what a young unskilled politician would perform while mindless that it would act against the better interest of the state. None of his great achievements or lesser setbacks were obtained in isolation.

    I recall the path of devastation and deep concessions that Bibi has carried us from – and he has carried us very far from those terrible moments – while necessarily making sacrifices that were not painless but which would not and did not lead to the destruction of our most vital interests. And, as I stated many times now, these vital interests were contingent and coincident with enormous advancements for the state both domestically and internationally across an array of fields – including trade, economy, military and diplomacy just to name the most obvious – and these advances have placed the state in a position to compete, interact and respond well above our previous ability. And this is due to the leadership and skills as has been completed by Bibi. It may be that Bibi will become a victim of his successful stabilization of the state such that its inhabitants have had the luxury to forget the dire forces intent upon their destruction while focusing upon the growing numbers of political characters that view him with enmity and envy. I can not relate to the ambivalence that has place personality quibbles as the highest order of the day by so many ‘statesmen’ and their supporters. I personally find it calls the image to mind of Alinsky’s useful idiots at a time that Israel can ill afford such unwise and arbitrarily based divisiveness.
    /1

  5. @ Reader:
    They’ve ALWAYS pushed the 2 state delusion…but…where is it …I don’t see it anywhere,and am not llkely to, although I have sharp vision.

    You’re havinga paranoical episode.Just take deep breaths and relax on the nearest settee until the feeling passes.

  6. @ peloni1986:
    About your admiration of Netanyahu and his “savvy maneuvers” (as though he is an amazing soccer player).

    I posted on this site the links to Netanyahu’s ACTUAL RECORD as PM – NOT someone’s opinions, a documented record of what he DID (he certainly talks beautifully and at just the right moments).

    Bibi’s admirers refused to read it, they would rather keep their illusions.

  7. @ peloni1986:

    I don’t understand your #4

    #4 means that whoever replaces Netanyahu (and Gantz?) MIGHT go along with a two-state final solution (I don’t trust any of them completely) but to me it WON’T be a 100% certainty.

    I think that if Netanyahu renains PM, he and his Likud will implement a two-state final solution with a 100% certainty, like Sharon did with the disengagement from Gaza (a step of the same process).

    My thesis was that this unrest and the Gaza affair was a conscious provocation to enable the creation of a “Palestinian” state while Netanyahu is still PM because his position became much weaker after he was unable to put together a coalition and the “change bloc” was getting close to getting it done.

    I have been keeping track of the last point of my thesis, that as soon as ceasefire is declared, calls for a two-state (final) solution as the ONLY solution will grow louder and louder.

    So far – less than a week after the ceasefire was declared – this point has been supported perfectly by the events (actual announcements), namely:

    1) the US support for a two-state solution as the ONLY solution:
    Psaki’s, Biden’s, Blinken’s announcements, the ME Blinken diplomacy – restoring the consulate for the Pals in Jerusalem, legitimization of the PA/Fatah, etc., the US aid to Gaza, the MSM involvement, the unprecedented physical violence against the Jews in the US to emphasize Israel’s “guilt” to push for the “ONLY solution”;

    2) the UN support for the two-state solution as the ONLY solution;

    3) the EU support for the two-state solution as the ONLY solution;

    4) the French support for the two-state solution as the ONLY solution;

    5) the British support for the two-state solution as the ONLY solution;

    6) the Chinese support for the two-state solution as the ONLY solution.

  8. @ peloni1986:
    A man of Netanyahu’s talents will NOT arise from those you mention, and you are being placatory when it’s needless.. So far, he’s the only Statesman Israel has ever produced, respected all around the world, and has brought Israel with him, which you more or less keep pointing out-as I do. . The only comparison would have been Chaim Weizmann, extrordinarily important in the esiablishment of Israel..

    You’r wasting your “breath”, because the poor guy has an irrational obsession, and not a little paranoia.

    I always have to insert some humour into our exchanges, to temper much scathing rebuke. It all washes away, like rain down a gutter; ..

    It reminds me in a way of “Gallagher and Sheen”…even more so, “Potash and Perlmutter”, a book I still laugh over although I first read it about 50 or more years ago. There are 3-4 in a wonderful series. At least I think so, The humourous exchanges appeal to me greatly, and unexpectedly clever too.. Glass wrote about 10 books mainly about the “co-partners”

  9. (2 of 2)
    For #5 I would say you expect Bibi to exercise too much independence over something that is but a small division of a greater problem – in effect, burning the winter coal in early fall. It is a bitter regret but it must be accepted that Israel’s fate would be better served with a limited success in Gaza and the ability to react more capably to far greater threats in the future. The extermination of Hamas, though desirable, would have deleterious effects upon both Israel’s Iran policy and its relationship with the US gov’t. And for what? Iran’s many other limbs would have survived Hamas’ demise intact – and these limbs hold better troops in greater numbers, and better missiles among numerous localities. The US, both, holds control of Iron Dome rearmaments and withstood calls of condemnations(and worse) coming from the UN(I am still very ill at ease over this). I would suggest you expect a state of omnipotence from Israel which she lacks under any leadership. Strategic use of political leverage was how Bibi faced and defeated Obama/Iran in 2015. And, now, as her enemies are growing in strength and her greatest ally is controlled by Obama’s crew of meddling-misfits, you cannot expect a Pyrrhic show of strength that once spent will be lost for greater battles to come.

    So these are some of my thoughts on your listed opinions.
    /2

  10. @ Reader:
    (1 of 2)
    Regarding your 5 points of concern, Reader:
    I do understand your support of the opinions you list here, Reader, though I realize your concerns are sincere. I have tried to convince you otherwise, but I respect the fact that I lack the ability to allay your certainty that Bibi/Likud is set to betray the state as has been done in the past by others. And I don’t mean to belittle the potential ruin such a betrayal would portend for the state should your conclusions be correct. But it appears to me to be a delusional scenario that under any conditions the Right(Likud, Yamina, at the very least) would involve themselves in such a narcissistic plot as you suggest – this is just my opinion. But this opinion I hold with such certainty that I place it on par with the possibility that the moon’s gravity will cause the sun to flame out by sun up tomorrow(sorry for that pun).

    Your point#1 and #2 are much the same issue. I would say whatever your definition of Right-wing might be, it should include, if nothing else, the defense of the state against forces within/without that would do it harm – and Bibi/Likud have achieved this goal over this past decade with great success along with many other great achievements. And they achieved these goals without the cooperation, mostly, of the Leftists(Labor, Meretz and YeshAtid). His savvy international maneuvers provided him support from unsuspected elements of the Middle East which granted him the leverage to expose Obama’s Iran ruse within his own Senate and setup the initiating forces that gave rise to the Abraham Accords. And though Bibi had to cobble together successive gov’ts with Leftists while being forced into unbalanced negotiations with the US, he struck a strategic balance that kept the state stable, thriving and safe. The State will soon be in need of a PM with Bibi’s proven ability to exercise such strategic diplomacy amid similar difficulties as he encountered in 2015(as at other times as well). If we are unfortunate enough to lose Bibi as PM, we should all agree that a man of his talent may arise from the pack of Bennet, Barkat, Saar or the local barber to replace him.

    #3 – Had Bibi or Likud had any hidden desire for the destructive steps you envision against the interest of the state, they would have had better support for such mischief prior to the Left’s implosion several years back and instead they blocked such reckless actions. Regarding Gantz, I will state I that have concerns – I was told by an associate that there was a suspected association with Soros and his ilk, though I am uncertain if this is true. If anyone is aware of this I would greatly appreciate further info.

    I don’t understand your #4
    /1

  11. @ Reader:

    Didn’t they used to have 37

    Before Saar split with six seats, as I stated, yes, they did. This was hardly a rout. Not to make too much from it, but I would call Haskel out for his own spin here – I think this is a fair observation.

  12. @ Reader:

    I don’t understand your hints

    You mistake my meaning here, Reader. I did not mean to suggest you made up anything – why would you. I understand the quote that was buried at the end of the article, which, yes, I did read as clearly as you. But my hint was no hint at all, though perhaps you took something unintended from my scribblings. My meaning was intended as ridicule not towards you, but towards the individual of the author of the statement, MK Haskel, for having suggested Likud was impaired with their victory in the last election – 30 seats!! – just under double of the next largest faction and one-half of the seats needed to form a gov’t was hardly an indication that Likud was hurt or weakened by anything their members said or did. This is especially true in light of the endless splitting of the Likud with Saar and his recently departed support of Likud, having failed to unseat Netanyahu in a direct leadership contest.

    I do want to discuss your Pts 1-5, as there is some meat to chew there but I will address it in a later post.

  13. @ peloni1986:
    It is not my opinion.

    I posted the last paragraph of the article for those who decided not to finish reading it for some reason.

    I don’t understand your hints.

    The following are my well considered opinions:

    1) Israel does not have the “Right”.

    2) I can’t imagine why anyone would think that either Likud or Netanyahu have anything to do with the “Right”, other than their PR and demagoguery.

    3) Netanyahu (and maybe Gantz) in power = the two-state (final) solution 100%.

    4) The rest of their politicians in power – not a 100%.

    5) Israel is supposed to be a country with a government but it has been acting like a ghetto with a Judenrat which is “allowed the right to defend itself” until someone decides it must be liquidated (God forbid).

  14. @ Reader:

    “Karhi is lying, and that is the only way to get ahead in politics after he screwed up and hurt the Likud in the last election.”

    If this last election was an example of how Likud was hurt, may we see such hurt expanded upon them in the next election.

    Also should this tale of victory for the Right turn out to be a twice baked lie, I believe it is a regrettable outcome, especially with the state still rebounding from the many terrorizing attacks from both without and within. And, so, then it will be off to a 5th election, where the recollections of recently falling rockets and the expectations of soon to be released international intrigues against the state will necessarily cause the electorate to definitively tie their fate to heals of a well plied statesmen or to the neophyte gaggle of little hopefuls nipping at his heals. Punting on a consensus of opinion at this time should be unacceptable to all, regardless of your opinions – for or against – on the terribly central issue of the personal animosities against Bibi. I think it has always been an easy choice, but one which has proven elusive by the electorate’s equivocal voting pattern. Such a definitive choice is well past time in the making – one way or the other. It must be decided – Bibi or them. Easy enough I should think.

  15. This is the end of the article:

    The New Hope MKs denied Karhi’s claims.

    “That’s how you create spin,” tweeted Haskel. “We are all committed and united around Gideon Sa’ar. Karhi is lying, and that is the only way to get ahead in politics after he screwed up and hurt the Likud in the last election.”