The chairman of Religious Zionism, Bezalel Smotrich, is currently planning from the party's headquarters in Modiin the journey to the heart of the soft right. This focus, he hopes, will decide the election campaign in favor of the bloc led by Benjamin Netanyahu. A few dozen kilometers away, Itamar Ben Gabir began his own campaign of change two weeks ago , with a renunciation of all the extreme statements of his past, in order to complete the party move in his direction. In an interview with "Israel Hayom", Smotrich predicts that Ayelet Shaked will crash in the elections, and believes that Ben Gvir has changed.
"There is no person who does not undergo a change," says Smotrich, "some say that I have also undergone a change, even though I have not moved a millimeter in my values and ideology since I entered politics."
You haven't changed? Sure?
"I changed in conduct, not in ideology. You come with a large world of values and you have to adapt it to complex conduct. There are constraints, restrictions, compromises."
When was the "extremist" image attached to you?
"From day one. My opponents cannot deal with me intelligently, so they chose to go to the realms of shaming. The left does not want to win a debate. It wants to prevent a debate. When Lapid, Sa'ar and Hayat sat in the judicial conference and fired slogans and clichés designed to demonize me, I flattened my worldview in a reasoned and explained manner".
Maybe it was stuck on you in "Beast Parade"?
"This is an example of style. You have not changed my positions. I really love every person and I also have a sharp argument against the LGBT culture.
Is this the way to express my views through such a parade?
No.
That's why I've apologized for it at least ten times already.
The extremist image was attached to me on purpose, because they can't deal with me, but I'm really not an extremist.
The left is a thousand times more extreme, but it flattens the discourse, so that it can prevent any discourse."
"Sometimes you have to compromise"
So do you believe that Ben Gavir undergoes a change?
"Why not? The red line is that this is not an ideological change. If it's an ideological change, then it's a dangerous change. It's like Bennett who was ultra-right and suddenly talks about the 'West Bank'. It's forbidden."
Isn't this a strategy between you, that he will be perceived as more moderate?
"Definately not".
There was a tough negotiation between you. who won?
"It's behind me. I don't live this discourse. We made a right and responsible move. There are no winners and losers."
You had to compromise.
"It's not a shame. The disagreements were about the political strategy. It throws the question of the locations. Sometimes you have to compromise."
Bad blood left? You didn't sit down to sign together.
"It was a completely technical matter. Everything is fine. We talk and act together. We are friends. I have great respect for Itamar. There are sensitivities and tensions in the negotiations and the next morning it is behind me.
People who keep feelings, anger and insults - this is one of the sickest evils in politics.
This is the story of Lieberman, Bennett and Saar who changed their path because of anger at Netanyahu.
The feelings should be left to the family."
Those who will decide the elections are two or three mandates of the soft right, rightists and religious Zionists. How will you reach them?
"There are three elements: we will explain how critical the elections are, what is at stake and what the alternatives are. The only ones who are able to form a stable coalition are the people of the national camp. If this does not happen, a left-wing government will be formed with the joint. It is clear to everyone that this is a disaster.
Itamar Ben Gabir.
"We are friends", photo: Oren Ben Hakon
"All the borders have been broken. Lapid, without blinking, goes with the joint. Gantz, Sa'ar and Elkin won't blink either and will go with them. Whoever broke the line of Ra'am, will break every other line.
It's like Bennett, Shaked and Kahana.
After all, it can't be that Bennett says 'I am the Minister of Defense and determines that cooperation with the Prime Minister is a dangerous thing', and within a month changes his mind. Everyone understands that Abbas is a wolf in sheep's clothing with an extreme Islamic ideology. The ability to execute is also important - we will not promise plans Singapore are unfounded, we will bring plans that we will stand by."
And will they believe you?
"What sets religious Zionism apart from the other parties is credibility, and the knowledge that what you choose is what you get. We live in a space of mistrust in the political system. The perception today is that everyone is a thief and a liar. Everyone, not just Bennett and Shaked, who broke blatant promises - also Lapid, who said A narrow government and he went against coalition funds and the appointments of associates, ran over it when he came to power. We proved that with us the word is more important even than the government. Those who vote for religious Zionism will not wake up the morning after the elections and discover that they are in a place 180 degrees from what they were promised."
Benny Gantz
"will go with the joint",
"There is room for different shades"
And what about matters of religion and state?
"I say that with these two or three mandates, we agree on 90% of the issues. I understand that there can be debates about religion and state, or that they don't like the style, or that they think that we are a bit Haredi (national ultra-Orthodox) or extremist.
But that's only ten percent.
In the national matter of security, settlement, personal security, the justice system - we agree one hundred percent, and we will advance this together.
"I know there are different shades, and I want to give expression to all of them. There is a difference between Bezalel the man and Bezalel the party chairman.
There can be one family with different opinions.
There is room for everyone here.
What is the alternative that exists?
Go with Benny Gantz, who is working to establish a Palestinian state and return Abu Mazen to the field?
Who is not willing to make any corrections in the judicial system?
On the ten percent that we disagree with, it is impossible to lose such important national things."
What do you do if there is no 61?
"Under no circumstances do we join the enemies of Israel and do not dismantle the national camp."
So who will come to make up for you?
"I think there will be 61. The discourse 'if not' is a discourse that is wrong and weakens. With proper work it is possible to bring 61. It is possible to increase the voting rates in places that did not vote, we need to convince the 3-2 mandates in question to understand."
"discuss the curriculum"
Is there someone on the other side who is invalid?
"Ream and the commoner, of course.
I don't rule out others.
More than that, even if there are 61, anyone who wants to come and take part is welcome.
Why be in the opposition?
Be part of the conversation, take executive roles.
I think that Meretz and Lieberman will not come, because they are built of hatred, boycotts and anti.
But if Gantz or Michaeli take on the agenda of the right-wing government, they are welcome.
More than that, I have no problem with Gantz and Michali saying that they will not support certain things, and still, why spend four years in the opposition?
Take executive offices where there are no arguments and serve the citizens of Israel."
How are you with the Ayelet Shaked dilemma? Mad at her, but she can complete 61 for you.
"I have no emotions and anger towards her. I have a great disappointment and a sharp disagreement. I criticized her matter-of-factly. Unfortunately, in every interview she incites me and defames me with lies. Anyone who talks about unity never stops inciting and defames me. Ayelet Shaked does not exceed the percentage of blocking in any situation in the world. She says that she understands that what is right for the State of Israel is a right-wing government, so she must resign.
"The thing that most endangers the possibility of establishing a right-wing government is throwing votes in the trash. All of the last three years are the result of Bennett and Shaked's irresponsible adventure with the new right, which crashed outside the threshold and knocked the right out of power. If she does this one more time and no government is formed Yamin, she will not be forgiven."
Ayelet Shaked.
"She will not be forgiven", photo: Oren Ben Hakon
What do you think about Yesh Atid's campaign, for Smotrich to be your children's education minister in the next government?
"I can be an excellent minister of education. The education system needs a significant strengthening, in terms of values, Jewish identity, Zionism, belonging. A child needs to know who he is, and that he belongs to the people and the country. If there is a future where you want to debate what the curriculum should be, I would be happy to have a serious discussion If I become Minister of Education, I will deal with the textbooks in the Arab sector in the most severe way, with the incitement there, with the denial of the State of Israel. I can be a good Minister of Defense, a good Minister of Finance, a good Minister of Transportation - the question is how many mandates we will have. We will want important portfolios." .
Aren't you afraid that Netanyahu intends to leave you out?
"It depends on how big we become. Reading my political map makes me think that the chance of such a thing happening is very small. I think he understands that in the national camp there will be no atonement for those who do not realize the majority we will bring in these elections, in order to form a right-wing government and realize right-wing values. The public will not forgive such a step. I want to believe and hope that such a thing will not happen in the end.
"If this happens, and a narrow government is formed with Gantz, which will be challenged from the right and the left, it will collapse very quickly within a few months. We will return with 20 mandates."
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