Netanyahu: Likud Will Not Join a Olmert Government
Full Text;
“Likud Party leader Binyamin Netanyahu announced his party will not join a government led by Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, stating that Olmert and his Kadima Party are calling for another unilateral withdrawal from areas in Judea and Samaria, a move adamantly opposed by Likud.”
“Speaking to the daily Ma’ariv newspaper, Netanyahu stated that Olmert has moved to the far left, even more so than Dr. Yossi Beilin and his Meretz Party.”
Netanyahu Rules Out Joining Olmert-led Government
Excerpts;
“Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu surprised his colleagues on Saturday when he announced on Channel 2 that the party would not enter a government in which the policies that Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert presented to The Jerusalem Post last week would be implemented.”
“Despite a statement by Netanyahu’s spokesman Ophir Akunis on Thursday that Netanyahu would not respond to Olmert, the chairman apparently changed his mind over the weekend and rushed to Channel 2’s studio in Neveh Ilan on Shabbat to slam Olmert.”
“‘These elections are a referendum on the final border,’ Netanyahu said. ‘Olmert wants to withdraw unilaterally from most of the land. The Likud will not enter such a government.‘”
But read on;
“Netanyahu also used the interview to backtrack from a promise he made in September 2004 to bring any territorial compromises to a referendum. He said that because this election would serve as a referendum, he would no longer demand an actual referendum.“
Commentary;
Where have we heard something like this before? Arik Sharon/Ehud Olmert perhaps? After Likud members defeated the referendum on the expulsion from Gush Katif, after the Knesset passed the expulsion in March, 2005 and when the Likud rebels wanted a National referendum? And if Bibi wins, will he quash a national referendum by a Likud-led coalition government? Will the “savvy” National Union/NRP remember Bibi’s comments here when negotiating entry into a possible Likud-led government? MB