MK Miki Zohar is currently competing on two different, interconnected fronts: On the first front, MK Zohar is doing everything in his power to get a place on the Likud list for the 25th Knesset, while on the second front he is battling against other parties in the general election campaign that has already begun.
This morning (Thursday) he spoke with Sivan Cohen on 103FM and referred, among other things, to Benjamin Netanyahu's plan for the Shironim on the Likud list: "The things are known, Idit Silman and Amichai Shikli will be Shironim. They are relatively well-known. We know that Silman and Shikli will be Shironim, I can't say for sure because in the end the decision is in Netanyahu's hands, but I estimate that they will be. We heard about Gal Hirsch, Zion Amir, they will be great people.
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""Currently, Netanyahu has 4 who are located in places 14, 16, 28 and 37. I hope these are the four that will be there, but we have to wait until after the primaries.".
Regarding the primaries, he said: "The Likud is a democratic, passionate, living and kicking party. Unlike other parties, as we recently heard a MK from Yish Atid say that Yair Lapid is a god, in the Likud we are elected through primaries by 140,000 people who determine our fate and pay membership fees of their own free will. This is a super democratic thing. In Yish Atid you have to please the leader, if he is not pleased, you will not be in a good place.".
MK Zohar referred to the list of candidates, which also includes those with criminal records: "We are concerned and are also working on the issue. I suggest to anyone who tries to eulogize us before the primaries are over to wait for the results. The wisdom of the masses is the best and most victorious thing. In my opinion, those 140,000 people, people who are Likudniks at heart and soul, who want to influence how the list will look, will choose the best list because that's how it was in the past and I hope it will be in the future as well. Let's wait for the end of the primaries.
""We are a democracy, and democracy also has a price. If things are in line with the regulations and the constitution, it is impossible to prevent anyone from running. I know that these things are also being discussed in court. I don't know what the decision will be, but I suggest waiting for the results of the primaries. The wisdom of the masses is what wins. That's the beauty of the democracy that exists in the Likud.".
He was asked about the economic plan presented by Netanyahu and replied: "I think we all know that if there is anyone who knows how to get Israel out of the economic crisis, it is Netanyahu. In 2003, he got Israel out of an economic crisis and in 2009 as well. One thing has changed, in the last year we have not been leading the country.
""When we were in power, even if there was a price increase, it was gradual. Some blame the war, the Russians, Ukraine, but you have to understand one thing - when you give so much money to Mansour Abbas, you can't direct the budget to programs that will lower the cost of living. Before we left power, when we were in power, the numbers were dramatically much better than today. People want to attribute it to all sorts of things, I attribute it to mismanagement, unlike ours. When we were in power, we managed it better and I hope the public will express trust in us again so that we can make the necessary corrections.".
Regarding Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked's claim that the Likud is delaying legislation that would eliminate the need for a visa to the United States for Israelis, he said: "Even if we approve it now, it won't happen before February 2023. We will not allow a situation where it will be delayed, even if we approve it later, it will not delay the process, the process will happen and will be carried out in practice. They think that if we don't pass it now in the Knesset, it won't happen in February. There are very acute issues that Netanyahu thinks need to be changed.
""In the end, we also need to protect the privacy of Israeli citizens. There are other issues we are talking about. It is not right, God forbid, to delay this. We are in a transitional government. If we are now the ones who approve this, it will be our achievement because we approve it.".
""The State of Israel does not depend on anyone, it is strong and powerful. The Americans are partners, friends, and we are walking with them and will always walk with them because they are Israel's greatest allies in the world, but we will always have to look at what is good for the citizens of Israel and what is good for them to protect their privacy, and several other important issues that are being discussed. There will be no delay in starting the process in mid-2023.".
