Ayelet Shaked called a press conference today (Tuesday) amid the rumors of her retirement just to dispel the rumors and announce that she is staying in the race.
If it were up to me, this is the speech she would give at the press conference:
Dear friends and supporters,
Ever since I can remember I have dedicated my life to the State of Israel.
I didn't always dream of becoming a politician, but life led me to it and I was happy, and I am still happy, for the opportunity I was given to work for the country.
I am proud of my actions and the things I have promoted: the settlement in Judea and Samaria, the introduction of conservative judges to the court, the protection of Israel's borders against foreign immigration, and many other struggles that I waged behind the scenes.
Ask the people in the field.
Every decision I made was out of concern and thought for the interest of the State of Israel.
As in everything in life, mistakes are made in politics as well.
I know today that I made decisions that brought me to the situation where I am.
I understand that I tied my political fate to the fate of the wrong people and that my assessment of them was wrong, they were motivated by personal interests and not the good of the country.
But I'm not looking for excuses, the responsibility for my political situation is first and foremost mine.
I decided to enter the current election system with the thought that I would be able to repair the damage caused.
I didn't think for a second that it would be an easy task, but I didn't imagine how difficult it would be.
I understand now what I did not understand then - I betrayed the trust of my constituents in a way from which there is no way back.
It is clear to me that this may be my last political speech, but if I knew how to take a risk and form the last government, I should know how to take a risk and make the current move.
I turn to the national camp, to my home, where the heart is, and ask them to see in this speech my gift of reconciliation.
I will take a break from political life and go home, not before doing everything to help the right win the next election.
I am worried about the reality that has been created.
The Prime Minister of the Transitional Government, Yair Lapid, leads a policy that is contrary to the Israeli interest.
We are witnessing a moral and leadership bankruptcy that puts Israel in danger.
Therefore, even if I have disagreements and disagreements with the leaders of the parties in the right-wing bloc, I have no doubt that they will be better for Israel than the current government.
I call on my friends on the right who made a move similar to mine and are part of this government, to stop the harm to the right.
I have no expectation that they will take stock and retire, but to Gideon Sa'ar, Ze'ev Elkin and others like them I want to say - if you have an iota of responsibility towards the state left in you, you must stop trying to take votes from the right-wing bloc, and at the very least declare yourselves part of the left-wing bloc.
Enmity with Netanyahu must not be allowed to influence the fate of the State of Israel.
We've done enough damage.
I thank everyone who walked this path with me, the advisors, helpers and friends who accompanied me throughout the good and difficult years.
And of course to my dear family, who I am excited to return to and be more present with.
This is not an easy evening for me, but I am convinced that this time, as in the absolute majority of my political career, I really made the right decision for the State of Israel.
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