Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., November 20, 2008 Cheshvan 22, 5769 | | Israel Time: 03:10 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

Netanyahu loads Likud list with generals for elections By Mazal Mualem Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, who two years ago almost faced a party slate without a general after former defense minister Shaul Mofaz left him for Kadima, is now plush with ex top-brass. He has not one, but three generals in pocket. On the eve of the election, Netanyahu will seek the public's confirmation with at least one former chief of staff, Moshe Ya'alon, who announced his decision to join Likud on Monday, and two major-generals: Yossi Peled and Uzi Dayan. Advertisement Labor used to be the generals' party of choice. But with the resignation of Ami Ayalon, former commander of the Israel Navy, the party has been left with only two ex-military men: Party Chair Ehud Barak, a former Lieutenant General and chief of staff, and his second in command, Major-General (ret.) Matan Vilnai. Meanwhile, Ya'alon's entry into Likud puts him at an excellent position to become Netanyahu's top choice for defense minister. But Peled and Dayan are vying for the same position - which could ignite a war within Likud ahead of the primary election to determine the party's list of candidates for the 18th Knesset. This struggle could continue long after the primary, if all three secure high enough seats to preside together in a future cabinet. In that case, they might be fighting for the defense portfolio. Unlike the 2006 campaign, which focused on a social agenda, the 2009 election - following the failures that were revealed during the Second Lebanon War, the Iranian threat and Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip - will make former officers and security officials sought-after items within the political establishment. Much like Menachem Begin before the 1977 election - which brought the Revisionist camp to power for the first time - Netanyahu put a lot of effort into recruiting recently-discharged "celebrity" generals in his successful 1996 campaign. Back then, Netanyahu reeled in Yitzhak Mordechai, who stayed in Likud until 1999, when differences of opinion with Netanyahu sent him packing to a centrist party - for which he was never forgiven by senior Likud officials. Ariel Sharon filled the officer slot with Shaul Mofaz, who had just finished serving as chief of staff. Like Mordechai, Mofaz was considered an asset to Likud not only because of his war record, but because he was Sephardi. Arguably, Mofaz is rendering Kadima the same sort of service now by occupying that party's space reserved for generals. But Likud has another quasi-security official up its sleeve; former police chief Assaf Hefetz. Bookmark to del.icio.us   The King is dead Archeologists find new evidence for King Herod's tomb site. Al-Hasbara Israel launches Arabic YouTube channel to bypass Arab media.

Read & React Bradley Burston: Dividing Jerusalem, one wall at a time Responses: 42 Peres: Obama told me he was 'very impressed' with Arab peace plan Responses: 75 VIDEO / Peres speech at Oxford University disrupted by anti-Israel protesters Responses: 104 Settler rabbi: The State of Israel is an enemy of the people Responses: 69 Hamas: We're prepared to end cease-fire and confront Israel Responses: 49 More Headlines 22:25 IAEA: Syria site bombed by Israel bore features of nuclear reactor 22:05 Israel to boycott 'Durban II' anti-racism conference 21:40 Assad: Israel never asked Syria to cut ties with Hezbollah, Iran 21:42 PA negotiator: Obama told Abbas he'd spare no effort to see Mideast peace 19:26 Israel launches Arabic YouTube channel to bypass Arab media 22:02 Jewish Republican representative elected to top deputy spot in Congress 01:36 Archaeologists find new evidence for King Herod's tomb site 23:06 GA special report / Satisfied participants bid farewell to Jerusalem 00:44 U.S. FAA downgrades Israel's aviation safety ranking 19:04 Dividing Jerusalem, one wall at a time 02:09 Al-Qaida No. 2: Obama guilty of betraying Muslim roots in backing Israel 00:42 Peres speech at Oxford University disrupted by anti-Israel protesters 02:07 Warsaw completes restoration project marking Jewish Ghetto boundaries 01:50 Court sentences Boaz Yona to 7 years, doubles damages he must pay 02:40 Report: 90% of schools offer auxiliary programs not monitored by Education Min. Previous Editions Select Day 19 nov 18 nov 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov 07 nov 06 nov

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