January 16,
2012...
###
The following article originally appeared in "World
of Judaica News" on January 16,
2012.
The Likud Primaries are
a few weeks away [on January 31] and Moshe Feiglin is presenting
Benjamin Netanyahu with a serious challenge for the Likud leadership
In two weeks, Prime
Minister Netanyahu will be defending his title as Likud Party
Chairman against challenger Moshe Feiglin. Polls show Netanyahu winning,
but that may not be enough for Israel’s Prime Minister. A poll conducted
by Israeli polling company Ma’agar Mochot has Mr.
Feiglin polling at about 26% support among Likud members not affiliated
with Feiglin’s Jewish Leadership faction. With Feiglin’s Jewish Leadership
faction numbering about 9% of the overall Likud membership, this brings
his total support to about 35% in the party, Netanyahu at 51%, and 14%
undecided or unsure.
The question asked in
the poll leading to these statistics was worded as follows. The poll
surveyed Likud members who voted in the last two Likud primaries: Do
you agree or disagree with the point that it is important to vote for
Moshe Feiglin in the upcoming primaries, even though it is clear that
Benjamin Netanyahu will win, just so that the right wing inside Likud will
gain strength?
26% either “agree” or
“definitely agree” with that statement, while 14% are unsure or
undecided.
According to the
grassroots Likud website likudnik.co.il, Feiglin even has a chance of
beating Netanyahu within the Likud Druze sector, which is known to be very
right wing in its political leanings. Another grassroots site,
likudshely.co.il, is reporting a widespread phenomenon of Netanyahu
supporters refusing to turn out for him in protest, or even pledging to
vote Feiglin in an act of defiance over Netanyahu’s refusal to legalize
outposts in Judea and Samaria. Netanyahu’s refusal to support a bill
requiring nominees to Israel’s Supreme Court to undergo confirmation
hearings by the Knesset has also angered the party base, as have his
attempts to secure former Labor Party leader Ehud Barak a slot on the
upcoming Likud Knesset roster.
If Feiglin’s faction
comes out on January 31st with a strong turnout in addition to these
numbers, he has a fair chance of even reaching the 40% threshold [or
higher] and seriously embarrassing [or defeating] Netanyahu.
Whether Netanyahu can maintain his hegemony in the party if Feiglin wins
such a large percentage of the Likud electorate remains to be
seen.
Moshe Feiglin is the president of Manhigut Yehudit
and a candidate for Chairman of the Likud party. He led the Zo
Artzeinu non-violent civil disobedience struggle against the Oslo
Accords. Moshe graduated from Or Etzion yeshiva, served
as a captain in an IDF combat unit, and is the author of the books
Where There Are No Men and
War of Dreams. Moshe and his family live in
Karnei Shomron, Israel.
Disclaimer: Donations to the Moshe
Feiglin Campaign are not tax-deductible. Manhigut Yehudit neither endorses
nor financially supports any candidate or political
party.
The Moshe Feiglin Campaign website is
www.mflikud.com
Moshe Feiglin is running for Chairman of
the Likud party. He strives to
Restore
Jewish Values, Pride and Integrity to the State of Israel.
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