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ANALYSIS / Far-rightist Feiglin's coalition is growing day by day By Yossi Verter Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu  When the Likud's computers spit out the party's slate for the 18th Knesset tonight, it will leave in its wake a long list of people who are bitter and hungry for revenge. All of them will have a single target: party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu. The man of whom Ariel Sharon once said, "I don't know whom to help - your right hand or your left hand," has been digging deep with both hands into every corner of the Likud's list in recent days. Instead of confining himself to general statements, or to support for a mere two or three specific candidates, Netanyahu is up to his neck in the swamp of political deals, and is clashing openly with sitting MKs and other candidates. Some of the former are so angry with him for neglecting them in favor of candidates who are newcomers to the party that they are working night and day to help Moshe Feiglin's candidates, whom Netanyahu wants to keep off the list. "If we are kept out of the Knesset by him, at least let him suffer," explained one. Likud sources say the "Feiglin coalition" is growing day by day and hour by hour. Its members include not only the candidates slighted by Netanyahu, but also Kadima Party members who are gleefully stirring the pot. Advertisement On one hand, Netanyahu's behavior is understandable: A list that is too right-wing will play into Kadima's hands and cost him votes. On the other hand, what are the sitting MKs who remained loyal to him during the party's darkest days, or the activists who worked their hearts out for him, to think when they discover that he has publicly ordered his people to work for the election of Assaf Hefetz and Uzi Dayan, for whom "Likud" was a dirty word up until the moment they jumped on its bandwagon? To Likud members, the real stars are not Dayan or Hefetz, but Gideon Sa'ar, who bore the wounded faction on his back during its years in opposition; Reuven Rivlin, who returned Benny Begin to the party; Gilad Erdan, who proved an outstanding legislator; Silvan Shalom, who demonstrated both restraint and responsibility by scrupulously maintaining his cease-fire with Netanyahu; and many other faction members. How are they inferior to Dayan and Hefetz, whom Netanyahu is recommending? Were it not for the faction members, it is doubtful that Netanyahu would be entering this campaign in such a strong position and with such optimistic poll numbers. Netanyahu would undoubtedly say that he had no choice: Anyone who appeared beside him at a press conference had to receive his public support; that was the deal. But Netanyahu also knows that tomorrow morning, Kadima will be brandishing the Likud list and ticking off names: Begin, a rightist. Moshe Ya'alon, a rightist. Rivlin, a rightist. Sa'ar, a rightist. Erdan, a rightist. Yisrael Katz, a rightist. Limor Livnat, a rightist. Yuli Edelstein, a rightist. Ze'ev Jabotinsky, a rightist. Yechiel Leiter, yet another rightist. And so on and so forth. Therefore, Netanyahu needs Dan Meridor and Hefetz and Dayan, and some others, in order to present a more centrist list. From Netanyahu's perspective, this is a question of political life and death. But the same is true for the candidates. And this time, what means life to him means death to them - and vice versa. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Striking Iran Israel's push to strike Iran puts its relations with the US at risk. Wiring up Soon enough Israelis will pump their cars full of electricity instead of gasoline.   1.   Feiglin 12:34  |  Ken 08/12/08   2.   "Life and Death" = Sderot, Ashkelon 12:50  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 08/12/08   3.   and then ? we vote likud cause it is rightist 13:47  |  cordier 08/12/08   4.   "A list that is too right-wing will play into Kadima`s hands and 14:06  |  redmike 08/12/08   5.   Rivlin,Bibi,Feiglin,Dayan,Begin, Bogie et all. 14:17  |  chop-chop 08/12/08   6.   Is Bibi offering an alternative to Kadima or Not? 14:25  |  ????? 08/12/08   7.   #5 It`s actually good that their be opposing views in Likud 14:33  |  ????? 08/12/08   8.   "Choice: Far Right or Far Wrong" 14:50  |  Gideon Reader 08/12/08   9.   I, too, loathe Olmert, Livni, Barak & Company but 14:51  |  Roberrt Haymond 08/12/08   10.   Labour voters going Kadima 14:58  |  Yael 08/12/08   11.   Why Israel needs Feiglin? 15:01  |  Gene 08/12/08   12.   Leftist propaganda at its best 15:19  |  Frank 08/12/08   13.   IF I COULD VOTE, I`M SWAYED BY FEIGLIN. 15:32  |  SHMUEL IN GALUT 08/12/08   14.   Without Feiglin Likud is Kadima light 15:49  |  Shlomo the wise 08/12/08   15.   For Verter `rightist` means `unelectable`. He`s in for a surprise 16:45  |  Freethinker 08/12/08   16.   Hopefully enough to tip the primaries in his direction 16:48  |  Harvey 08/12/08   17.   What is a BIBI? 16:56  |  a voice 08/12/08   18.   fueled by being targetted by their own government 17:33  |  Avi 08/12/08   19.   He`s a very dangerious guy for Israel 19:03  |  Hans 08/12/08   20.   Is it News that the Likud is a Rightist Party? 19:04  |  Ilan 08/12/08   21.   Also Far Leftist coalition is growing by day, soon eclipse Labor 19:28  |  Genuine Tosefta 08/12/08   22.   What is the difference between Feiglin and Bibi 21:26  |  Dolly 08/12/08   23.   Likud voters remeber Bibi can deliver an election win Felgin cant 21:48  |  zionist forever 08/12/08

Read & React Zbigniew Brzezinski: Israel's push for Iran strike may hurt U.S. ties Responses: 194 Burston: Hebron, Feiglin, & self-hating Jews of the right Responses: 73 Defense official: Settler attacks could worsen tensions with Muslim world Responses: 114 Moshe Arens: Like Neville Chamberlain, Barak will realize mistake of Gaza truce Responses: 50 ANALYSIS / Israeli deterrence against Hamas is weakening Responses: 47 More Headlines 22:58 Netanyahu: Obama told me he views Iran nukes as unacceptable 02:06 Israel worried by report Iran has tripled its missile arsenal 02:09 Likud polls close after bumpy vote for Knesset candidates 22:13 Another gangland killing as underwold figure shot dead in Netanya 01:13 ANALYSIS / Iran sees Obama as worthy leader, but is that enough? 17:46 400 Tel Aviv parking spaces now wired to charge electric cars 22:55 Mismanagement threatens Israel's second most visited site 01:50 Suspected 9/11 mastermind, 4 co-defendants offer to confess 00:05 Olmert announces launch of pension fund safety net 20:39 Lebanese sources: Lebanon, Iran draw up framework for bilateral cooperation 02:25 Regulator warns: Israel cannot afford a bank collapse 15:51 Israeli envoy to UN: Obama must take care of U.S. before focusing on Mideast 22:04 Zbigniew Brzezinski: Israel's push for Iran strike may hurt U.S. ties 18:56 IDF soldier lightly hurt as tank overturns in Golan training accident 18:24 Police expose ring suspected of extorting thousands from Jerusalem beggars 17:16 India Jewish community leader: We are determined to rebuild Chabad house Previous Editions Select Day 08 dec 07 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec 02 dec 01 dec 30 nov 28 nov 27 nov 26 nov 25 nov

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