A year has passed since the right-wing list was founded – “right”, and now at the beginning of the fourth election campaign in two years, there are hints that the cooperation between Naftali Bennett and Bezalel Smutrich is coming to an end. Ben Caspit and Prof. Arie Eldad spoke tonight (Tuesday) with MK Smutrich on 103FM about reports of a rift between him and the list’s leader, and he in turn made it clear that they will also run together in the upcoming elections.
Ben: Hello MK Bezalel Smutrich. If you need a mediator because I read reports, I suggest Arieh. He respects you and Naftali. Is this really a disconnect?
“Let your mind rest. We will run together because that is what the public wants and that is what is right, we are probably complementing each other. Naftali takes on the task of economics and I took the right path. This is what is beautiful and good and complementary, religious Zionism was not born yesterday, “It does not build its party strategy and does not choose its value basket according to one survey or another, but goes on for many years with a clear world of values.”
Aria: You are right about Zionism but Bennett is trying to reach more audiences and when you talk about Judea and Samaria he says – not Corona, not interesting.
“The question is whether to bring votes is the goal, to bring votes is important. We are certainly in a political system, we were 24 seats in the polls before Gideon Saar got involved in cooperation, all the last six months we reached 20 seats was one he dealt with Corona and the economy and I dealt with other things. “And it seems to me that the public liked this togetherness and the ability to conduct debates and disagreements in a matter-of-fact and respectful manner. This is what the partnership between Naftali and me is based on. I represent the religious Zionist half in this party and it seems that when you know how to work properly.
Ben: Beneath him harsh criticism when he turned to see an interview he recorded for Ofira and Barko that aired on Saturday, his most important slogan right now is nothing interesting, sovereignty that is understood, there is also no one to talk to because Trump is gone and you take all the known core issues. It’s not working out right now, there seems to be a gap between you two.
“There is a gap but I think the beautiful thing is the ability to live with that gap and whitewash it. If we thought the same thing we would be in the same party and we run together as two parties. You can not take Naftali the many rights. I represent religious Zionism and naturally I keep the anchor “The values-ideological. This togetherness has known to this day to come together excellently and I think we agree on many elements.”
Aria: He says if I am the Prime Minister I will put the annexation aside. And you?
“I do not name it, but I do not know what annexation is, annexation is something not yours, we have to say sovereignty, I will constantly strive to exercise as much as possible. In what coalition composition do I want to be? That we think it is right and good for the country.There is a meeting between Naftali and me in the understanding that there is an urgent, urgent does not completely eliminate the important, but there is now an urgent event of Corona and economics should be given great emphasis. I believe they are right and good. “
Ben: Do you actually agree with the assumption that once Gideon Saar came in and settled on the point of the center left he increased you and your bargaining power?
“I do not negotiate on the radio, I appreciate and respect Naftali. I am talking about an equal partnership in the division of decisions and this power and togetherness because we are truly in a real partnership.
Ben: Running together 100 percent?
“We run 100 percent together.”
Ben: It seems to me that when Shefi Paz was in custody you visited her.
“I was also in court this morning.”
Ben: Did you see the indictment?
“I did not see the indictment.”
Ben: I basically think the fight in South Tel Aviv is important, but the indictment has some details that shocked me including the plot to put nails and then stick inside the foreign workers’ kindergartens and not on the road so as not to hurt the residents. Doesn’t sound good.
“I do not have to identify with every step, she is an independent person but it is difficult to ignore the fact that in the end on this side there is a victim and there is an attacker or who is responsible for the situation. South Tel Aviv residents including Shefi are the victim who cries for help and begs the state to take responsibility and address the issue. “The police enforce as resolutely as they do against them, the violence and drugs and prostitution and everything that happens in these neighborhoods in south Tel Aviv. It does not hurt and is surprising how much the police invest and in what determination in front of Shefi and Doron compared to lawlessness in Lod? It does not grow in one day.”