News and Updates
Gilad Erdan: "This is the lobby of young people in Israel"
MK Gilad Erdan launched a special press conference at the ZOA house in Tel Aviv by presenting the young candidates of the Likud Party and the "Plan of the young representatives in the Likud". "We are making history, this is the young revolution of the Likud", said Erdan who commented that one third of the next Likud party are likely to be young people.
MK Gilad Erdan launched a special press conference at the ZOA house in Tel Aviv by presenting the young candidates of the Likud Party and the "Plan of the young representatives in the Likud". Erdan, Tzipi Hutabeli, Carmel Shama, Gila Gamliel, Sagiv Asulin, Yariv Levin and Danny Danon sat shoulder to shoulder and expressed their ideas and their commitment to promoting the issues of young people. "We are making history, this is the young revolution of the Likud", said Erdan who commented that one third of the next Likud party are likely to be young people. "For these people, the problem that young people in Israel encounter are not a topic from an essay, but rather topics they are aware of from their own lives. This is a young revolution".
"At recent years we've noticed trends of escapism and dwindling patriotism within the young generation. This is not their fault but rather a result of their feeling that their problems are of no concern to politicians", said Erdan, "This is a clear statement, and we've decided to open our campaign with a plan that is addressed to you".
Erdan noted the Young Plan is being launched as part of a separate campaign which includes a website, a separate advertising campaign and the use of interactive tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and a direct channel to users through blog run by each of the young candidates.
The core issues in the Young People's Plan include a scholarship for the first year of higher education for every army or National Service Graduate. Erdan explained that the Likud wants to give more to young people who give to their country and noted that the plan will be activated as soon as October 2009. "Erdan emphasized that the scholarship is not a replacement to any existing ones.
More initiatives that Erdan mentioned include fighting violence in recreational places, promoting bicycle paths, recognizing babysitter expenses for tax reasons and more.
"The investment that the Likud is making in the 2009 campaign is a correction to the general elections in 2006. That election in which 50% of youngsters in Israel chose not to vote was a warning sign to Israeli democracy", continued Tzipi Hutablei, a new representative in the Likud list.
"This is an important message to youngsters who feel like their investment in the state is not being rewarded. We live in a country in which the best minds see living abroad as a real option. The intention of the new plan is to restore the faith for young people and get them involved in politics again".
Sagiv Asulin, formerly a student leader, said that appealing to young people is not limited to the representatives but it's also about creating new frameworks: "the uniqueness of the plan is its simplicity, the people representing it are people who are familiar with the problems". Asulin said that the plan is to establish a Young People's Administration within the government office and a parliamentary committee that will focus on these issues.
New Likud representative Carmel Shama emphasized the commitment of young people to a green agenda and to a political conduct that is less cynical and more transparent.
Yariv Levin chose to emphasize that the plan is not only for supporting youngsters but gives value to those who contribute to the state: "It is a selective plan, it is not just for any youngster wherever he may be, it comes to compensate those who contribute to the state". Levin concluded by saying that the plan is actually investing in Israel's human infrastructure.
Danny Danon, formerly World Likud Chairman who was elected on the regional slot of the coastal area said that the young list was chosen by Likud voters and add "we will work hard in order to restore trust and become a bridge between young people and the Knesset".
Ofir Akunis, formerly Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman who was elected for the Tel Aviv slot in the Likud, called for a greater involvement of young people in politics. "We hear in restaurants and on the streets, that all politicians are corrupt, that it isn't interesting, that one is better-off watching reality TV shows. I think this is a turning point. Start being active, stop complaining, if you want to make a difference join the political field, vote and make a change".
Guy Ifrach, a new candidate representing the Moshavim promised that he would be active in encouraging young people to return to living in Moshavim by guaranteeing their rights on the land.
Gadi Yivarkan who is managing this issue within the Likud concluded by saying that: "the young people here see the youngsters as Israel's main asset for future generations. The social mosaic here, represents the entire society. Everyone sitting here comes from a different sector and location, and it is this mosaic that makes the Likud into the people's party and turns our promise into something real and relevant to every young Israeli who contributes to the state".
