It is also the most credible threat the prime minister has faced in the last decade.
Ze’ev Elkin will submit his letter of resignation from the Knesset to Speaker Yariv Levin on Thursday
Elkin accused Netanyahu of destroying the party and turning to Byzantine court for putting his personal interests above the interests of the country, violating the government’s obligations to overcome the allegations. convicted felon for alleged corruption.
The importance of Elkin’s defense of Likud cannot be underestimated and his inclusion in the New Hope party is the biggest political move Sa’ar has made since he repulsed the party a few weeks ago.
Although not a man of much charisma, Elkin was a close friend and adviser to the prime minister and behind many of Netanyahu’s political movements over the years.
The Likud leader saw him as a brilliant chess player and was instrumental in moving many of the critical coalition contracts.
Zeev Elkin with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset in 2016
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
His statement announced his resignation as a public outcry of Netanyahu and dealt a terrible blow to the Prime Minister. After all, he was well acquainted with all of Netanyahu’s lies and deceptions and even often a willing supporter.
“I feel like you’re increasingly making urgent decisions based on your own personal needs and the whims of those closest to you,” Elkin said, “and personal consideration was too often overdone. the urgent needs of the public. ”
Netanyahu was able to hold on to power after the last three election campaigns thanks to a united bloc of Knesset’s southern and religious groups.
But now, even his most loyal allies – the leaders of the ultra-rectangular parties – say they see no impediment to entering a Sa’ar-led government or one with leader Yamina Naftali Bennett.
“We are not in politics to oppose it,” Deputy Education Minister Meer Porush of the United Judaism group Torah said Wednesday.
“We will not enter the political desert,” Porush said, adding that the ultra-rectangular parties will not control other candidates for the post of prime minister.
Deputy Minister of Education Meir Porush from Torah United Judaism
(Photo: Moti Kimchi)
Elkin, who had always maintained a close working relationship with Likud Haredi’s partners, could help lure them into a coalition led by Sa’ar’s new party after the March election. 2021.
Interior Minister Sephardic Haredi Shas’s MKs party is also looking at new political alliances.
“We support Netanyahu, but he is against an uphill battle,” a party chief executive said.
“If he does not reveal the winner of the next election, we will join a coalition led by someone else, especially if they are from the right wing,” the official said, adding that the party will not be left out. out in the cold because of Netanyahu.
The Prime Minister is launching his re-election campaign at a disadvantage. He has lost the security provided by the support of the Knesset bloc and sees his party’s break with five legislators already bolted, so far.
This fourth round of elections in two years is likely to be a completely new ball game.