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Edited video from Anglo rally Feb 5 in Jerusalem

Lt. Gen Moshe Ya’alon Speaks in Ra’anana

Event Report – Feb 1 Ra’anana

A capacity crowd of 300 people from all over the Sharon attended a Likud Anglo pre-election meeting with former IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen Moshe Boogie Ya’alon, number 7 on the Likud list.

The meeting was organized by Sonia Graham, Likud Anglo Representative Ra’anana.  Kevin Kenigsberg, Hod Hasharon, chaired the meeting which hosted also many Anglos from Netanyah which were invited by Jack Cohen, Likud Anglo Representative in Netanya.

Talking about the challenges facing Israel, he confirmed the view that we need a strong right-of-center government to defeat the Oslo apologists. To solid audience support he stated categorically that only a “Jewish, Zionist, Nationalist party like the Likud can bring about the reversal of the current situation and renew our country” in a positive and forceful manner.

Gen. Ya’alon outlined four major areas that need attention where the Likud can improve the situation. They are: Political and Security, Education, Economic and Social and Internal Security. He emphasized the need for future leadership and more education about our Jewish and Zionist values and heritage.

He supported the bottom up approach adopted by Likud and enunciated by party leader Binyamin Netanyahu. He further emphasized the need for patriotism, Jewish solidarity and the righteousness of our cause. Touching on the strategic and moral confusion currently gripping our political elite, he reaffirmed the policies of the Likud and the approach the party is taking in all areas.

By David Kirshenbaum

1. Many people in the so-called “right wing” camp retain animosity for Netanyahu. I think a lot of it is unwarranted and misdirected. While I could talk about each of the issues that engender such negative feelings, let me just suggest that we all remember that Mashiach is not running for Prime Minister, nor, of course, have we ever had Mashiach as our leader.
 
2. We’re constantly complaining  – where is the politician that will place the welfare of the country ahead of their own self-interests? Well that’s something Binyamin Netanyahu did. When he became finance minister in 2003, desperate and painful measures were required in order to save the economy. Netanyahu knowingly committed virtual political suicide in order to do just that.
 
3. Thre is a huge contrast in leadership and in a vision for the country at one of the most critical points in our history. This is a contest between Netanyahu, Livni and Barak. It is a choice between the continued דשדוש , missed opportunities and contentment with mediocrity represented by Livni and Barak and someone with a deep appreciation of our treasured past and a soaring vision for our future and for excellence. It is a choice between Livni and the Haim Ramons of Kadima who have a vision of Israel as just another European country, who believe time is against us and that our future is dependent upon the creation of another Arab state and people Bibi, Begin and Boogie Yaalon, who believe that we shape our own destiny, that we can make Israel a country that will truly be an אור לגויים and a magnet for Jews all around the word, including Jews from the West who will make Aliyah by choice in huge numbers. 
 
5. If you agree with Labor and Kadima and with Meretz that because we have a demographic problem we should withdraw from parts of ירושלים – even control of Har Habayit - then it makes perfect sense to vote for Lieberman. What’s more, Leiberman is so tough, he will also throw in parts of the Galil for the same price so that, if he has his way, we can come to the end of כביש 6  and be looking at signs for the Palestinian authority. And remember, the same way some parties can be bought for money, Lieberman has shown that he can be bought by Livni with a fancy ministry – It was Lieberman who prolonged the disastrous Olmert-Livni-Barak government by two years in exchange for Minister of Strategic Threats. He really stuck it to Iran in that time.
 
6. For those contemplating voting for Shas, remember that Shas did not oppose Oslo 1. They were instructed by Rav Ovadya Yosef to abstain. Indeed, it was Shas’s very presence in the Rabin government that allowed Oslo to go forward in the first place. Rav Yosef similarly instructed the Shas MKs to oppose the call for a national referendum on the Disengagement. The main reason Shas didn’t support the “disengagement” is because they were not invited by Sharon into his government. On the other hand, they were in Olmert’s government and stayed in it even as Olmert offered Abbas nearly all of Yehuda and Shomron, including East Jerusalem, and parts of pre-1967 Israel as compensation for the few percent of Yehuda and Shomron that Israel would keep. And if there was any doubt, Ariel Attias, one of Shas’s leading MKs, said last week that Shas would not rule out supporting future withdrawals from Yehuda and Shomron.  So if you favor that and you like everything else that Shas stands for, Shas would be a good vote. 
 
7. While it is important that Ichud Leumi and Habayit Hayehudi cross the electoral threshold, it will do us no good if Ichud Leumi and Habayit Hayehudi do great, but the country is led by Zipi Livni or a Livni-Barak- Lieberman combination. In the critical battle for the leadership of the country, there is only one real alternative. And that alternative is to vote מחל  - Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud.

Dear Friends in the National Camp Who Want to See a Change of Government in Israel:

By Daniel Green, Jerusalem

Although by now most of you have decided which party will receive your vote on Tuesday, in case you are still undecided or if you want to see Benjamin Netanyahu as the next Prime Minister of Israel but still intend on voting for another right of center / religious party instead of Likud, please take a moment to read further.

1.         If you want to ensure that a center-right government headed by Netanyahu comes to power, voting for a small party on the assumption that it is a natural ally of the Likud may well endanger the formation of such a government.  Voting for small, narrow interest parties rarely advances the interests of their voters and leads to a more unstable government.  In light of the current constellation of support for the leading parties, strategic voting in this election is critical – even if it means sacrificing one’s narrow personal preference for the benefit of a greater cause.

2.         Netanyahu has expressed serious concern that if too many right-wing voters cast ballots for the Likud’s “satellite parties”, Likud could end up losing the election despite leading the entire campaign.  In such a case, it is a real possibility that Kadima could win a plurality of the votes and get the first nod to form a government.  Such a scenario is made all the more possible given the uncertainty surrounding who Lieberman will recommend form the next government – and it may very well be Kadima.  As Likud candidate for Knesset and former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya’alon was recently quoted as saying on Army Radio: “If you want Netanyahu as prime minister, you must vote for Likud and not for other right-wing parties.”

3.         As for Lieberman, he has clearly hit a raw nerve among voters, and his strong persona and clear message appeal to growing numbers of Israelis.  But his message is infused with negativity, anger and fear, offers a potentially dark tomorrow, and threatens Israel’s Jewish and democratic character.  Many of his views are inimical to traditional Jewish values, and he is not opposed to the division of Jerusalem.  Are the values his party expresses your values?  Does the negativity, anger and enmity he espouses reflect your vision for the future of Israel?  Apart from the above considerations, from a strategic perspective support for Lieberman directly harms Netanyahu’s chances of forming the next government, and increasing the likelihood that Livni and Kadima may edge ahead of Likud.

4.         Natan Sharansky has called for the National camp to unify their vote for Likud and for Benjamin Netanyahu for Prime Minister.  In a special video message broadcast last week at a Likud Anglos event, Sharansky said it is important that there be united support for Likud and for Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister.  There is no one who is better able to protect Israeli security and also to ensure good relations between Israel and the United States.

5.         Many people I have spoken with have expressed their clear desire for Netanyahu to lead (the alternatives are simply not alternatives), yet can’t imagine voting Likud and intend to vote for small, narrow-interest parties.  In an ideal world, such an approach may work.  But this is not an ideal world; we simply don’t have that luxury this time ’round.  Likud is not without flaws, and Netanyahu is not a savior.  But he has worked hard with many others to rebuild a party torn apart by the betrayal of Olmert, Livni and other Kadima candidates, and created a clear alternative vision for the future of this country.

6.         Finally, remember – you only have 1 ballot.  Don’t think that you can vote for your party of “choice” and also have Netanyahu; that really may not work and it is a genuine possibility that we will wake up Wednesday morning to find Livni tasked with forming the next government.

If you want to see a strong national government with Netanyahu as prime minister leading our country as we confront the difficult challenges we are facing, it is important to support the Likud tomorrow.