With the publication of the results of the Likud primaries, emphasis was placed on the change at the top of the list for the Knesset. A generational revolution. The veterans went down, and the young people, most of whom are in their 50s, occupied the top.
This is an important detail, but not a central one, and it also includes the fact that all those who rose to the top openly support the desire to change the face of the justice system and the prosecutor's office within the framework of obedience to "the voice of his lord".
The more interesting fact is the transformation of the Likud from a multi-vote and open party to a one-vote party.
From a liberal, vibrant party, which appreciates the leader and yet is able to argue with the leader and oppose some of his decisions, to a state of worshiping the leader, bowing down and accepting every whim as if it were at least one of the ten commandments.
David Levy complained, and at one point he also retired and founded the Gesher party, when he accused in 1992 that he and his people were treated with disdain and said: "I was like a monkey that came down from the trees in their mouths."
Once upon a time, it wasn't like that.
The founder and mythical leader, Menachem Begin, also had objections at home.
The best known of which is the retirement from Likud of MK Shmuel Tamir, who founded the Free Center as a challenge to Begin's leadership due to the failure of Ghal in the Knesset elections.
Tamir and his loyalists retired, founded the Free Center and won two mandates.
Later they returned to Likud when it changed from the Harut party to Likud.
We also remember the opposition to Yitzhak Shamir and the Night of the Microphones in 1990 between him and Ariel Sharon, who challenged his leadership when he shouted from the stage, whoever is in favor of eradicating terrorism, raise his hand, while his men turned off the microphone of Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, who stood on the stage helpless.
And this is due to Shamir's political plan, the "Steps Plan", which was also coordinated with Yitzhak Rabin and included four stages, including establishing peace with the Arab countries, solving the refugee problem and holding elections in the territories so that there would be a Palestinian representation to be governed by.
This plan pitted the "hishukaim" against him - David Levy, Yitzhak Modai and Ariel Sharon, and together they thwarted the move on the night of the microphones.
David Levy did not hesitate to voice his complaints, and at one point he also retired and founded the Gesher party, when he accused in 1992 that he and his people were treated with disdain and said: "I was in their mouths a monkey that came down from the trees."
During Netanyahu's first term as Prime Minister, in the years 1996-1999, ministers did not hesitate to go against his decisions and without fearing that he would swallow them.
These were natural moves in a lively and opinionated party.
Thus, when Netanyahu signed the Hebron Agreement, under which the city was handed over to the Palestinians, Minister Benny Begin resigned from the government in protest.
In the same year, 1997, in an affair known as the "Bar-On Hebron Affair", Netanyahu brought the appointment of Roni Bar-On to the position of Ombudsman for approval by the government, and suspicions were raised of an unkosher appointment. Ministers, including Limor Livnet, Dan Meridor and Ariel Sharon, visited publicly and openly the Prime Minister. Minister Benny Begin voted against. The appointment lasted only two days.
The failed assassination of Khaled Mashal did not go quietly either, and Likud officials criticized it publicly and, as mentioned, without fearing that they would be harmed.
On the other hand, and this is the fundamental change, Likud has become a party of leader worship.
If there is criticism, it is mentioned quietly and in private rooms, and those who dare to go beyond the message board, are kidnapped and pushed back in the primaries.
Likud1 has become the voice of its masters and very far from the Likud of old.
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