Hadar Muchtar in first interview after primaries: "I did not receive a hug from the Likud leadership"

After more than two years of working on the ground, thousands of kilometers between party members and activists, and a campaign designed to get her on the Likud list, Hadar Muchtar found herself out of the primaries at the moment of truth. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided not to shorten her qualifying period, and she remained out of the race.

Now, after a few days in Georgia where she tried to process the disappointment, Muchtar speaks for the first time in an interview with C14 about the moment she received the news, the pressures exerted against her from within the Likud, and also about the possibility that her political story in the current elections is not yet over.

You worked for months for the primaries. Take me to the moment you realized they wouldn't let you run.

"I will correct you: it's not months, it's years. Over two years, even more. I registered young guys to the Likud even when I was in the army. I visited every member, every activist, I plowed the country from Hatzor HaGlilit and Kiryat Shmona to Eilat. It was truly whole days, long months and years.

"It was very hard for me to receive the news. I received it through the news, like everyone else. It caught me in the car, because for the last year and a half I literally live in the car because I travel so much from place to place. I stopped at a gas station and it was very hard for me to accept it. I worked so hard and wanted to run and prove myself. I think that even in the Knesset I could have given a lot and brought a young audience. But in the end we accept the decision, we have no choice."

How much did you believe that Netanyahu would shorten your seniority?

"Unambiguously I believed. Not because of something said to me behind the scenes, I was just sure he would shorten it, because I thought there was an interest in bringing in new blood and young guys. I understand that what prevented this was pressure from ministers and Knesset members, that is also what was published. It disappointed me a little to hear.

"I, God forbid, do not blame Netanyahu. I respect his decision, in the end he knows more than me. But I think the Likud has an advantage in accepting young guys. It's part of the beauty of the movement, one generation goes and another comes."

Tali Gotliv was one of the prominent opponents of your candidacy. Why do you think it was so important to her that you wouldn't be there?

"I truly and sincerely don't know. There were many ministers and Knesset members who went against the possibility of me running, and I cannot speak specifically. Throughout the campaign I made sure not to speak ill of anyone, always to walk with my head held high, to praise and say good things even about colleagues and candidates.

I love the Likud very much. The Likud is a home, the Likud is a family. On the ground they received me with a warm hug and love. From ministers and Knesset members, there is no doubt I did not receive the same hug. But we continue forward with our heads held high. I support Netanyahu, appreciate him very much and think he must be the next prime minister."

Have you spoken to Tali Gotliv since?

"No. I also don't speak about her specifically. I think it's not just her, there were many guys who opposed, but it's important for me to say that I love the Likud very much. The Likud is a home, the Likud is a family. On the ground they received me with a warm hug and love. From ministers and Knesset members, there is no doubt I did not receive the same hug. But we continue forward with our heads held high. I support Netanyahu, appreciate him very much and think he must be the next prime minister."

During the primaries you were abroad. Did you just want to escape from everything that happened to you?

"I didn't escape, but I did take a few days of vacation. It was hard for me, I'm not ashamed to say. I worked for two years and didn't get to run in the primaries. I took a few days abroad, did a little sorting out of thoughts and disconnected from everything. I was with part of my family. For two years I barely sleep at night. There were also nights we slept in the car because we had to get up early and be in a certain area."

And what does the family say to you now?

"I don't want to go into their private opinions, but they really want me to do my doctorate. That's what currently interests them, a doctorate in computer science."

So why do you need politics at all? You have a much simpler path in academia.

"True. I can have a much simpler path also in academia and the university. I am an 8200 graduate. But I truly believe that I am needed there. It might sound a bit naive, but I truly believe that I am needed there, that there will be someone who will take care of the young generation, the soldiers, the discharged young people and high school students.

"Only three Knesset members called"

Alongside the disappointment, Muchtar says that after the decision she received thousands of messages and calls of support. Some of the calls, according to her, came from people she did not expect to hear from.

Who surprised you after the decision not to allow you to run?

"There were many mayors who called me and it surprised me. I met them and felt that I created some kind of connection, but that they care to such an extent that they pick up the phone, sometimes even several times."

And what about the Knesset members in the Likud?

"I received a call from only three Knesset members in the Likud. Only three Knesset members from the entire Likud list."

There are those who say you are still very young. Why rush so much to enter politics?

"I think there is a whole generation that needs someone to represent it. We, as young people, understand the problems of the young. One of the issues that is most important to me is affirmative action in university admission for soldiers and combat soldiers. In my eyes it is a disgrace that Fatma from Umm al-Fahm has a better chance of being accepted to university and studying medicine than Roni from Golani.

"It bothers me a lot as someone who did two degrees in computer science and knows the subject well. I want to represent this generation. I am here to stay and represent my generation."

In the "Burning Youth" campaign you spoke mainly about the cost of living. This time your messages were different. What changed?

"When I spoke about the cost of living, Bennett-Lapid were in power. Apartment prices rose by 17.8%. Precisely in the Netanyahu government prices fell by 0.4%, so the situation here is much better than it was under Bennett-Lapid.

Do we need to deal with the cost of living? Do we need to take care of the young also in buying apartments, also in the 'Price for the Resident' program? There are many more things that are very important to our generation. Affirmative action in university admission, yes, that's me, unambiguously. And that's why I want to enter the Knesset."

A significant part of Muchtar's exposure in recent years came from the videos she publishes on social networks. According to her, they not only bring views, but also manage to influence political positions.

Was there a meeting with someone that made you realize your videos really influence?

"It happened at a wedding in Hadera of a central committee member. A girl came to me and said: 'Listen, all my life I voted left, I am a leftist, but for the first time I intend to vote for Bibi Netanyahu'. I said to her: 'Why?', and she said to me: 'Thanks to your videos'. I receive many such, but she was very memorable to me because she really said to me 'I am a leftist'. I believe I managed to bring many people, and yes, there are many young guys behind me."

There are those who will say it is populist and provocative. Could it be that these videos actually harmed you in the primaries?

"On the contrary. I receive a lot of praise for them and I think people really appreciate this work. It is easiest to come and talk in the studios, to commentate and be in the air-conditioned studios with suits and ties. Not many people go down to the field. I always smiled at everyone, I always did it with a smile. I don't hate them. Unfortunately they hate me, but I don't hate the left, really not."

What do you think about the Likud list that was elected?

"I wish I was in it, that's what I think. But I think the Likud has a good and worthy list. I do think it is important to refresh the ranks and the people a little, and I trust the prime minister to do it. For that he has the reservations, which I very much support."

After what happened, is the Likud still your political home?

"The Likud is always a home. It is important to me that this be clear. The connections I created with the people on the Likud ground are not political connections, these are friendships, this is a family. I was privileged to know amazing people who are first of all my friends."

Do you have no anger at Netanyahu after this disappointment?

"I wouldn't call it anger. I was disappointed. At first I took it a bit hard, but many good people lifted me up and strengthened me. In the end politics is a marathon, and I am here for this marathon."

Would you be willing to be in a unity government with the left?

"I always say: I go with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He is the prime minister, he decides. We are in the right always."

But Netanyahu himself talks about the possibility of a unity government.

"I prefer a right-wing government, but you know, in the end there will be election results and a government needs to be formed. If Eizenkot wants to be a minister, I don't know what... Minister of Energy."

Have other parties already approached you?

"They are always approaching. They approached me even before the primaries. They always approached, because they understand that I have electoral value and that I can bring young people to the Likud. I can bring between a mandate and a half to two mandates of young guys. People know my electoral ability."

So you rule out the possibility of moving to another party if you receive a realistic offer?

"I am currently in the Likud, supporting the prime minister, and I will do what is best for the prime minister. It may be that he will want us to do other things, it may be that he will want us to help in the campaign, I don't know yet. But we will do what is good for the right and for Prime Minister Netanyahu."

Is there a chance we will see you again establishing a youth party of your own?

"No. My run alone I finished. 'Burning Youth' at age 19, I learned the hard way. It won't happen."

And what is your opinion on joining Ben Gvir?

"Ben Gvir is a good friend, I appreciate him very much. He is needed in the government, even the prime minister said that. We are good friends and will continue to be good friends."

And if a party like Ardan's offers you to join?

"No, no, no. We are in the right."

And what about Ofer Winter?

"I don't know, I don't know him. I am a Likud member, we are currently in the Likud. And again, what we will do — we will do what is needed. In the end one needs to do what the prime minister also asks me to do in order to cause the right-wing bloc to win. I am with the prime minister."

So what is your next step?

"First of all to pray a good prayer that the Holy One, blessed be He, will guide me as needed. But it is important for me to say: I am here, I am for the right, I am for the right-wing bloc and I am here to help win the elections and make it happen."

And in conclusion, Muchtar returns to the message with which she wants to leave the stormy days she went through: "The most important thing for me to say is simply that everything is still open, the lists have not yet closed. We have until September 10 and I am here to stay and represent the young generation."