Israel: Gideon Saar leaves Likud and poses as an alternative to Netanyahu
Gideon Saar in the Israeli Parliament in 2019. AP - Ariel Schalit
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
In Israel, the rebellion within Likud is taking shape.
An opponent of Benyamin Netanyahu presents his candidacy and proposes to replace the Prime Minister in the event of an election.
For commentators, things are starting to move.
Publicity
Read more
With our correspondent in Jerusalem,
Michel Paul
This is the first real challenge to the Israeli Prime Minister within his political party, the Likud.
Gideon Saar, a member of the party's old guard, announces that he is leaving the party to face
Benyamin Netanyahu in the next elections.
“
The imperative at the moment is to replace Netanyahu's regime.
And that's why I decided to build and lead a new political movement to measure myself against Netanyahu at the head of the government and to replace him,
”said Gideon Saar.
The now ex-member of Likud accuses his former party of having become "
a tool which serves the personal interests
" of the head of government and dedicates him "
a real cult of personality
".
► To read also: Israel: the anti-Netanyahu demonstrations resume with a vengeance
The scathing retort from Netanyahu's entourage was quick: "
He quits the party because of his declining popularity and rushes into the arms of the left
."
In reality, Gideon Saar's new party is more likely to seek an alliance with the nationalist right and religious parties.
But this new candidacy could also make Benyamin Netanyahu think twice before proclaiming an early election.
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Israel
Benjamin Netanyahu