Israeli Elections: Party leaders make final calls for support

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In a round of interviews days before Israel’s election on Tuesday, leaders of smaller political parties spoke out and shared their goals – and urged the public to vote for them.

Speaking to Channel 12, Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman called for the creation of a “national liberal” government without the ultra-direct parties, which already have the intention of supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud .

Liberman also spoke of the importance of global voters coming out in greater numbers at the polls, saying that too many secular Israelis are without a vote, which he says which gives many additional orders to worldly parties.

Regarding the controversy surrounding Nicole Raidman, who said in an interview that the Liberman has anti-LGBT comments, director Yisrael Beytenu said he clearly supports the full right for LGBT Israelis.

Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Zionist Religious Party, spoke to Channel 12. During the interview, he argued that Israelis who want a “true right-wing government” should vote for him.

On a recent controversy over LGBT rights and Zionist Religious Party groups, which included comments from Smotrich against extending rights for LGBT people, he said Liberman was hired by the left. despite saying racist comments in the past.

When pressed on the LGBT issue, Smotrich said he is against gay marriage because it goes against the Torah.

He also indicated that he does not want to be prime minister.

Nitzan Horowitz, leader of the Meretz Party, also spoke in an interview with Channel 12, where he expressed his concern that Meretz will not cross the election stage on Tuesday.

“I’m definitely worried about the situation,” Horowitz said.

“This time, Meretz is important in terms of values, so that there will be a party on the left in the Knesset. In addition, if Meretz does not join the Knesset, Netanyahu will get 61 seats. So it is crucial , “Horowitz added.

Addressing a recent controversy in Meretz also over LGBT issues, in which Rinawie Zoabi, the fourth man on the party list, expressed her support for a revolution of therapy, he said she made a mistake in the her comments, which she corrected.

Horowitz said he plans to introduce an anti-conversion treatment law when he returns to the Knesset.

On the relationship between Labor and Meretz, Horowitz said that the Labor Party is a sister party, but that it is essential that Meretz crosses the threshold of the election.

Labor leader Merav Michaeli said during the interview on Channel 12 that future cooperation between her party and the ultra-direct parties is possible, adding that they share much in common.

“I collaborated with the ultra-Orthodox against it. We have a lot in common. I’m interested in finding a common good,” she said.

Michaeli also stressed the need to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian impasse, saying his party will return to the path of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.

“We are returning to the path of Rabin – which is a solution to the conflict, changing priorities in the State of Israel and equality.”

On Iran ‘s case, Michaeli said that Labor supported the 2015 Nuclear Pact because it is in Israel’ s best interests. She also attacked Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, claiming he supported Netanyahu to stay in power.

Gantz spoke earlier in an interview with Channel 12 on Friday, where he vowed not to join a Netanyahu-led government, while also saying his decision to join a unity government was motivated. with great concern about the coronavirus.

All of his decisions, he said, were motivated by concern for Israel.

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