Bibi crushes Feiglin
Yisroel Mendelson for Manhigut Yehudit
A Short Analysis of the Likud Central Committee Voting
The official results of the voting today indicate that 77% of the Likud Central Committee voters went with Bibi, preferring to defer Likud elections – probably indefinitely. There were many obvious problems and irregularities with today’s voting, but it will not help us to turn to the courts or to be “sore losers.” And this dark cloud definitely has a silver lining.
[I don't see the bright side at all.]
After a long and hectic week, we can summarize that Moshe Feiglin and Manhigut Yehudit took a giant leap forward toward leadership of Israel. Moshe Feiglin was in the media constantly. Even those journalists who have traditionally been openly hostile to Moshe related to him with seriousness and respect. There is no doubt that Moshe has positioned himself as an alternative leader for Israel.
There was only one major force this week that opposed Bibi and his planned disengagement from Jerusalem: Moshe Feiglin. He was articulate, determined and unequivocal as he warned of Bibi’s plans – very much the next leader in the making.
The following is a summary of the remarks that Moshe Feiglin made tonight at the press conference that he held in Jerusalem:
I call upon all the faith based camp to register for the Likud. Very soon – sooner than one may think – we will be facing elections once again. Next time, we must win. We cannot afford another national camp prime minister who gets elected with the votes of the Right and then executes the policies of the Left.
The faith based camp is beginning to realize that there is no reason for sectorial parties. This understanding is no longer exclusive to Manhigut Yehudit. It is the logical conclusion of ever-growing numbers in the national camp. This new level of understanding will be the catalyst that will bring about faith based leadership for Israel.
Today I realized that there is a large group of Likud Central Committee members whom I did not convince. How do I explain that? Anderson, in the “Emperor’s New Clothes” explained it well. When the emperor has no clothes but everyone says that he is beautifully garbed, the average person wants to believe it. If Bibi says he’s guarding Jerusalem, people prefer to believe him.
Today we saw two phenomena: One, that Netanyahu is not worried about the National Union, Jewish Home, Lieberman et al. All that matters to him is what is happening in his party. Without Manhigut Yehudit, nothing would be in his way. We did not succeed, but we put up a good fight. Our conclusion is to remain in this arena.
The second thing that we clearly see is that the cards are unfairly stacked against us: No judges, no observers, no rules and all the irregularities that we witnessed today. It seems like a contradiction; we are in the correct arena, but our hands are tied. But reality will continue to reduce the influence of the mechanism that stifles our progress. Even the Soviet Union fell when people stopped giving legitimacy to the government.
I am not worried that Bibi will flood the Likud with non-ideological voters – worker’s unions and the like, who will do his bidding. I am sure that there will be a massive ideological registration to the Likud that will more than balance Bibi’s straw voters. It is specifically for that reason that we have to continue to register our people for the Likud.
We are certain that Bibi coordinated his plan with the High Court. The current Likud Central Committee is already in power over twice as long as it should be. The High Court didn’t even relate to that fact. It will continue to handle Bibi with kid gloves as long as he continues to surrender Jerusalem.
I want to thank all of our wonderful activists and volunteers, who selflessly worked around the clock. We may have lost this battle, but with G-d’s help, I have no doubt that we will win the war and establish true Jewish leadership for Israel.
I am sorry — very sorry — to say this, but with every passing day, Netanyahu seems more and more like Sharon Light and Likud seems more and more like Kadima Light. If this goes on, the people will end up with Israel Light.
Calling on Yamit,
I must say, in spite of my previously acknowledged stubborness in refusing to believe what a local yored had explained to me re israeli feelings toward Yehuda/Shomron and the two state solution, that you were indeed right on several accounts:
- the Likud has lost its ideological base (maybe with Begin as you suggest)
- israelis are not ready for a kippah wearing leader
- Feiglin may not have the competitive personality to succeed in the fight against the “big boys” in israeli politics
- Most israelis indeed don’t care/want Yehuda/Shomron and half of Jerusalem
It has become clear to me that if Bibi could manhandle Feiglin, spin him and spit him out, without breaking much of a sweat. Then maybe Feiglin is not the right guy for the job he wants to do, and should probably regroup and unite bayt yehudi and ichud leumi, maybe with shas, and then establish a credible front against Bibi. It’s becoming apparent that Feiglin’s working assumption that appealing to the “pintele Yid” of the israeli in the Likud would propel him forward is wrong. There is no “pintele yid”.
I welcome your comments on what lies ahead for Feiglin, as I still like his message.
Only in body mass – though that might not be true after Sharon’s been lying in a coma for a few years.
Netanyahu is worse.
The Jews of Israel have been utterly stupid for decades already. Sheep.
At some future point in Israel history, the people will rebel against the rot and the tyranny of the system.
Perish the thought. They are part of the problem, not the solution.
BB won a hollow victory. People tend to forget that the G-d of Israel is the King of kings and that things can change drastically within a second.
The next war knocks already on the door. This morning it rained in Jerusalem. A clear sign that the G-d of Israel is not with BB and that a war is coming, probably this summer. BB can make deals with Hussein Obama and Dorit Beinisch, but
And can BB predict how things will develop when it comes to a regional war.
The ruling clique of Israel has shut down democracy and they rule as they like. But they have fear. Why else should they demonize authentic Jews so obsessively?! They know that the authentic Jews will eventually take over because we are growing and they are a tiny minority.
Many say: but the people does nothing. Well, when the first “pal” missile will hit Tel Aviv, then Beinisch Peres and BB will fall like Ciaucescu Honecker et al.
And BB will be punished by Heaven like Sharon. Sharon has got the worst punishment a man can have, he can feel his dead body 24h/7d around the clock…
BB’s punishment will certainly be of another kind. Maybe he will end up in a psychiatric clinique and err like Shaul.
That’s all fine and dandy. On the other hand, Hashem can also give you what you deserve. Life has been very difficult in many ways for Israel. Just witness the lack of peace (as conditionally guaranteed in the Torah) these last 62 years.
Do I wish Hashem would do wonders for us and save us from ourselves this very instant? Sure! Do I assume it? Mah pit’om!
Heh. I would have said that had we had the usual Hamsin this time of year.
Besides, if it rains enough, Lag Ba’Omer night will be safer for the rest of us.
To you, Yamit and DRJB – and to you, too, Ted – I dedicate this song.
Use a bit of drush and imagination when interpreting: Ye’ush She’lo Mi’daat Lo Havei Ye’ush.
Shy, the G-d of Israel is doing abundantly wonders for Israel, people are calm and optimistic, at least the people I know and I live with.
I never argued that point.
You should step out of your Dalet Amot once in a while.
I have contact to a lot of people every day, and everybody is confident. Maybe YOU leck confidence.
My family and I B”H are very happy but we there are many problems in this country (terrorism, poverty, crime, discrimination, abuse, illness – need I go on???) and not everyone is smiley and cheery. But go back to your shell. Sorry to have disturbed you. All is well. Sleep tight.
This is a nightmare.
It is as though the American Revolutionaries were being led by Supreme Commander Benedict Arnold, and 77% of the high command approved.
Netanyahu is fully complicit in Obama’s assault on Israeli survival.
One of many examples: He refuses to confront publicly Obama’s de facto arms embargo of Israel.
Such perfidy is even more outrageous than the embargo itself.
Why the silence of this lamb?