Less than a week to the Likud primaries, MK David Bitan is not afraid. He believes in his position in the party - this is a veteran Likud candidate, seven battles, who has already competed in the primaries before. "My feeling is good," he states, "after all, I'm not working just this month. For eight years now I have been in contact with the activists, working in the Knesset, I have been in almost every position within the movement and I have done a good job. I believe people appreciate that."
The current primaries are more difficult than before.
"There are a lot of candidates, and you can only choose 12 people," he explains, "I see a difficulty for branch heads to deal with it. Even if you are promised votes now, that doesn't mean that's what will happen."
Where will you end up - in the top ten? for a second?
"I will improve my place. I don't want to brag, but I think I will settle in a good place. Many people stop me on the street, I have sympathy from the public."
About the battles in the primaries he says: "Some of the struggles today are related to the future, the day after Netanyahu. There are all kinds of pressure groups. Everyone wants a better place. Those who think they can compete in Likud the day after Netanyahu are fighting for the first and second place."
"No one can drive a wedge between us."
Bitan and Netanyahu, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Who do you support the day after Netanyahu?
"In Israel Katz. He did many roles very well, and he has also been my friend for 40 years. We did joint actions even when I started my activities in Likud."
The day after Netanyahu
The last significant storm in the Likud was the chain of loyalty, which was given to MK Israel Katz at an event of the movement. Bitan believes that this is a "candidate's spin". "This does not represent the Likud", he defends himself, "we are against it and are not in this loop at all".
What do you think of Nir Barkat? According to him there are businessmen who are trying to harm him.
"I don't support him. I learned one thing, everyone cries. There are many people whose job it is to cry to get votes. This is a method that many people use to succeed. No one works against him. Barakat will stop whining like a little child. Deal properly and you will get a result To say that I'm being beaten all the time - that's not the way."
They say that Netanyahu is against you and your candidates in the districts. They claim that you and Katz want to establish a faction within a faction.
"It's not Netanyahu saying - these are spins by candidates who want to weaken us. I'm not into the spins. I've supported Netanyahu since 1992. No one can drive a wedge between me and Netanyahu."
"Don't support him."
Nir Barkat, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Netanyahu was wrong about the story of the districts?
"Wrong, I told him that too. But this is the court, it's a democratic debate."
Why do you support the former director of Netanyahu's office David Sharan, who was accused in the submarine affair?
"Netanyahu doesn't want to bring in new people, not just people with a criminal record. He would prefer the current list. I support David Sharan in the lowlands. I think a person like him, with a resume like that, would be an excellent MK.
I think Netanyahu should have supported him."
"I'm eligible"
David Bitan is a central part of the Likud DNA. He is very connected to the field, knowledgeable about the party mechanism and has an opinion on everything that happens in the movement.
The armors should also get the approval of the secretariat," he says. "There was one case where we didn't approve the armor for Netanyahu, and he had to bring someone else."
If Netanyahu doesn't reach 61, isn't this the time to take stock of whether he can continue to lead?
"We are a democratic party. Netanyahu was elected, and he manages to bring an excellent result to Likud. It is not easy to bring 36-35 mandates, and he is slowly aiming for 61. Do you think it is easy? Today we are without Lieberman and without Kahlon, and we have come close to 61 in the polls. We will reach the goal with Netanyahu, who has great support on the right. Why change a winning horse?"
"We will not join the Gantz-led government."
Benny Gantz, photo: Gideon Markovich
Gafni says that if there are not 61, a soul-searching is needed.
"This is an unnecessary statement. Gafni weakens the national camp. People want a decision. If they say that another option is possible - then it prevents people from giving the national camp full support. These are statements that hurt and put sticks in our wheels. We need to understand that in order for Gantz to form a government with the ultra-Orthodox - we need the Likud. The ultra-Orthodox will not go with Lapid, Meretz, and Labor, and we will not come to a government headed by Gantz. Netanyahu will not be second in the rotation. The option of a government with Gantz has fallen out of favor. In the last year, when he was minister of defense, Gantz proved that he is a distinct leftist. In my opinion, Gafni says these things from internal considerations of Torah Judaism."
Bitan explains that even with 60 seats the Likud will form a government, "because in the second block they need the joint list", he claims, "it's not like it was now, when they had enough of Bennett and Sa'ar with Ra'am.
The Netanyahu bloc no longer has 52 mandates but 58-59.
So they don't have a government."
"Gafni weakens the national camp".
Moshe Gafni, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Miri Regev said that Netanyahu's trial should be stopped.
"Miri Regev can say whatever she wants. She was wrong. There is no need to say these things, there is no need to stop the trial. He is already in the middle of the trial, so it is not on the agenda. His lawyers are doing a good job, and he also shows that everything is not True. He is not going to a plea deal either. These are talks intended to hurt Netanyahu and the Likud."
Are you pursuing a plea deal at your trial?
"No. I believe I am entitled, and the trial does not prevent me from conducting myself as a member of the Knesset."
Stop Netanyahu's trial?
Miri Regev, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
What changes will you make in the justice system?
"We don't need the appointment committees for positions like the commissioner.
They were set up to check if a person is qualified, and in the end they decide for us.
The whole issue of the directors - if you are a Likud Center member you are disqualified in advance.
Another thing - the overcoming clause.
The subject of the committee for the appointment of judges which has deals.
We want it to be like in the US, where the prime minister appoints the judges from the top, and that the candidate's hearing be in the Knesset."
Do you think Shaked and her party should be attacked, or will she make it to 61?
"It should be ignored. The more you attack them - the more you strengthen them. We need 61, and if they pass, and they are the 61st, I expect them to be with us so that we can form a government. I think that if they complete 61, they will enter the government with us."
Will you make it to 61?
Ayelet Shaked, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Does Shaked have a future in Likud?
"Not at the moment. Likud functionaries are very angry with her because of the last year. In 2019, when I wanted to bring her in, she was very popular, and she was also elected in a high position. Now, after she entered the left-wing government and did not leave it when it was expected of her, and she is still Sitting with them - there is great anger towards her in Likud."
were we wrong
We will fix it!
If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us
