The battle in Likud: Professor Gabi Saroussi, the nominee of Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, was elected today (Wednesday) as chairman of Israel Aerospace Industries for the coming months.
Earlier today, Minister and former Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan announced that he was withdrawing his candidacy for the position for 3 months, after a public confrontation developed between Minister David Amsalem and Defense Minister Katz following attempts to appoint him.
Erdan commented on his defeat on the social network Twitter and, in the spirit of the holiday of Purim, compared Katz to the evil Haman.
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""Every obstacle is for the good, and in the end everything can be reversed," Erdan wrote. "There is nothing like the holiday of Purim to teach us this - Mordechai, who did not kneel or bow, aroused the wrath of Haman, and great fear arose for both his life and the life of the Jewish people. However, in the end, 'it will be reversed.' There will be more to come.".
Erdan attacked the defense minister for not advancing his appointment: "The second he was appointed defense minister, he cut off contact with me, even though we worked together at the time. For 120 days, he was not willing to express a position on my appointment until this discussion.".
Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed the appointment: "I congratulate Prof. Gabi Saroussi on his election by the Board of Directors of IAI to the position of Chairman of the company. Prof. Saroussi is a professional and worthy candidate with an impressive resume and broad education, who will be able to stabilize the company and continue to lead it to important achievements in the future.".
""As Minister of Defense, I see Israel Aerospace Industries as one of the flagship companies for building the IDF's strength and preserving the State of Israel's qualitative advantage over its enemies, and I intend to continue working with its management and employees to ensure its continued success.".
About three weeks ago, amid the conflict over the position, Minister Dudi Amsalem harshly attacked the Minister of Defense and accused him of thwarting Erdan's appointment: "You are a disgrace, afraid that Erdan is more popular than you.".
Amsalem threatened the Defense Minister from the Knesset stage: "This is the number 1 defense company in the State of Israel. Aren't you ashamed? The industry has not had a chairman for 3 months. I inform you, Defense Minister, only Erdan will be the chairman of IAI.".
