Sa'ar: "Lapid managed the operation well, it was not used politically"
In an interview at Walla's election studio, the Minister of Justice and chairman of Tikva New Hope rejects the claims of the government's political use of Operation Dawn. He insists that the union with Gantz is correct despite the polls not rising, and says that a broad union with Lapid is impractical. And what is his opinion on the Likud primaries?
Tel his Vicky Adamkar
08/08/2022
Monday, August 8, 2022, 10:40 a.m. Updated: 11:25 a.m.
Share on Facebook
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Twitter
Share by email
Share in general
Comments
Comments
On video: Minister Gideon Sa'ar in an interview with his TV channel Vicky Adamker in the Walla Studio!
(Still photo: Reuven Castro)
Minister of Justice and Chairman of New Hope Gideon Sa'ar said today (Monday) that Prime Minister Yair Lapid did not make political use of the "Dawn" operation, and welcomed Netanyahu's backing of the government. In an interview with Walla, Sa'ar said that he is convinced that the political union with Gantz is right and that a renewed connection with Lapid is not practical, and expressed his disappointment with the conduct of the Knesset members from the Likud.
Will the ceasefire last?
"I do not want to engage in prophecy or assessment about the future.
If we had not entered into a ceasefire we would have paid increasing prices in the Islamic Jihad.
They learned a lesson in the short period of two days.
If they expose themselves to risk one more time, we will know how to act."
What score does Lapid give for the management of the operation?
"A good score. There were important decisions here, also joint work. Joint work with the understanding of the political and security echelons. Unobvious decisions were made here that would not have been made in the past. I mainly remember in more recent years the lack of reaction or a weak reaction. There was a little less initiative by the government here. Throughout the last year, she led a different line regarding Gaza, reacting to every shooting, including incendiary balloons. Jihad tried to incite and change the equation and failed in its attempt."
Some people criticized the defense minister who released pictures of himself ordering the assassination.
Also photographs with soldiers during an election campaign.
including the use of the operation to strengthen Gantz's security image.
"Ganz's security image does not need strengthening. He is a man whose entire life has been sacred to Israel's security. A man not only with extensive experience in the security field but also in the security context in the systems facing Gaza, at Eitan Cliff as Chief of Staff, in Wall Guard as Minister of Defense.
There is no doubt that his leadership in recent days has been critical to the achievements made and I do not think political use will be made.
If at all a difference could be seen, it is less statements, less dramatic press conferences, there was only one such.
With a stateful, quiet approach - and that is the right way."
Was it legitimate to see the same documentation of an elimination order in the Defense Minister's office?
"I don't see any problem with that, it gives security and a good feeling among the public.
I don't see any reason to flaw it."
They did not make politics out of the operation.
Lapid and Gantz (Photo: Government Press Office, Haim Tzach)
What do you think of Netanyahu, who actually behaved in a stately manner in this operation?
"I think he did the right thing when he backed the government and the IDF, and the government proved that it deserves this backing."
The union with Gantz is not taking off in the polls. If Blue and White stays at this size, will you continue to say that Gantz is your candidate for prime minister?
"I suggest not to be too impressed by the polls .
Immediately there will be a new theory when there is another survey.
The real test is on 1.11.
I am convinced that we made the right move with political logic.
The logic is to create a bloc of the security center and the state right and Netanyahu and the bloc that is to the left of the center.
This is the way to break through the paralysis in the political system and I am convinced that it was the right political move.
Gantz is our candidate for Prime Minister and anyone who has seen his performance in recent days understands that he has the best qualifications for this position and also the ability to unite the public in a divided political system."
"It happened in Israel's history. I will go far - twice it happened to Likud. When Netanyahu formed a government after Benny was the largest faction, once to Yitzhak Shamir who formed a government."
Is a party of 13 seats a ruling party?
"I suggest waiting for the true results, not getting excited by better polls and not getting depressed when there are less good polls. I am convinced that the connection between the Security Center and the State Right reflects a broad spectrum of the public in the State of Israel and will earn their trust."
Where are the contacts with Eisenkot?
"There were good talks, not just ours. Naturally, I cannot give details about talks in private."
It was reported that he wants to unite Gantz and Lapid.
"In my opinion, this thing is impractical and it is doubtful whether it achieves the purpose. It is very doubtful whether the connection of these two political forces creates a better possibility to block Netanyahu. My opinion is that it does the opposite job."
"I can't enter into the talks blindfolded. I can only refer to the idea you brought up. In my opinion, this idea does not correspond to the political purpose we want to achieve."
More in Walla!
Senior Israeli officials: a political opportunity following the operation to promote a solution for the captives and the missing
To the full article
"There were good talks."
Eisenkot (Photo: Reuven Castro)
What's the big plan?
How will Gantz succeed in forming a government?
Because we see that Netanyahu is approaching 61 and not Gantz succeeding in forming a government.
"I can only remind you what happened before the previous elections, what happened on the night of the previous elections. On the night of the elections I said that a change government would be formed and in these studios there was talk of either the Netanyahu government or fifth elections. In the end, exactly what I said happened. I can't give a recipe. If Netanyahu will not reach 61, there will be significant developments in the political system and the door will open for the establishment of a broad unity government led by Gantz."
With who?
religious?
March?
Israel is our Home?
"We are not currently forming a government. I asked me, I gave the direction. Even last time there were question marks when I gave a forecast that was proven to be correct. I do not give a forecast. If Netanyahu reaches 61, it will be very bad for the State of Israel, he will form a government that will be extreme and not good for the State Israel. If it does not reach 61, the door will be opened for the establishment of a broad unity government and Gantz will head it. We do not think that Netanyahu should be returned to the prime ministership and we will not do it. Likud as a political movement is certainly not invalid either in my eyes or in our eyes. I think things will happen if Netanyahu He won't reach 61."
"Do the right thing when you respond."
Netanyahu (Photo: Reuven Castro)
When you look back on the struggle in Likud, establishing a new hope, do you regret it?
"No, absolutely not. I am at peace with each of my decisions. What led to my leaving the Likud was not the confrontation with Netanyahu. I could not sympathize with the direction that Netanyahu is leading and that the Likud is following, breaking the state line that has been the hallmark of the Likud all these years. Attacking every State institutions and state systems, preferring personal interest over national interest. At a certain point I can mark it - the failure to pass the budget in the unity government that existed at the time, which had a large majority to pass a budget, all in order not to reach the rotation agreement with Gantz. I thought a red line had been crossed, But it was a gradual process. I am completely at peace with both my decision to face and challenge Netanyahu within the Likud and my decision to establish a new hope - without which the transformation that took place last year would not have happened."
When you see what's happening in the Likud primaries, do you miss it?
"No. For many years I competed in the Likud primaries and I always succeeded. I always came in excellent places, twice in first place. All this belongs to the past."
And when you see the symptoms?
"Today it is very difficult for me to see what is happening in the Likud. It hurts me. I love the Likud people, they are warm and patriotic. The direction is the wrong direction. A leader outlines a direction. At the time, because of the direction, he went in certain directions. Today, in my opinion, the Likud is not the right Likud ".
Will you return to Likud?
"There is an address. The address is a new hope that we established because I did not see that the Likud continued with the values I grew up with. A political framework is less important than the values and principles you believe in, and the values and principles are found in a new hope."
2022 election
Studio and voila!
Tags
Gideon Saar
Likud
Yair Lapid
Benny Gantz
