Raviv Drucker on Likud primaries: "We can celebrate that we got rid of them"
Channel 13 journalist Raviv Drucker celebrated the Likud primary results with a sharp monologue. He criticized Avi Dichter for his shift from Shin Bet chief to political figure and mocked the ousting of other MKs, including Idit Silman and Avichai Boaron.
Channel 13 journalist Raviv Drucker dedicated an especially sharp monologue this Tuesday to the results of the Likud primaries, centering on Minister Avi Dichter, who failed to secure a realistic spot on the list. Drucker revisited the stages of Dichter's public career, from head of the Shin Bet to his years in Likud, arguing that his political ambitions had eventually overtaken the positions he once held.
"Good evening. I want to talk about Avi Dichter," Drucker began. "I still remember the brilliant head of the Shin Bet who, at the Herzliya Conference during the Second Intifada, showed us what leadership is and said: 'We must say honestly, the security establishment and the Shin Bet within it, we did not provide the people of Israel with the protective suit they deserve.'" Dichter's words were played in the background as a contrast to his recent years in politics.
Drucker highlighted the contrast between the Dichter of that period and the political Dichter of today. He continued: "I also remember the principled Minister of Internal Security who criticized Ehud Olmert for not taking responsibility after the Second Lebanon War. I still remember Dichter criticizing Olmert for continuing to serve despite criminal investigations: 'The principled aspect of this whole affair obligates us to replace the head of the party and set out to form a government with a different head.'"
"So Dichter decided to forge an alliance with his ambition," said Drucker, moving on to attack the minister's conduct during Benjamin Netanyahu's tenure. "He enlisted in the cult and did everything that followers do. He attacked the judicial system and absolved Netanyahu of responsibility for October 7th, claiming that the ability of the political echelon on that day was very limited to non-existent."
Drucker further argued that Dichter "disgraced himself in an attempt to succeed Yoav Gallant," referring to long-standing reports about his desire to replace Gallant at the Ministry of Defense. Drucker also focused on Dichter's attitude toward the Shin Bet, the organization he once commanded: "He was terrifyingly silent when Netanyahu abused the Shin Bet." According to Drucker, the price of this conduct was reflected in his status among those who knew him from the security establishment, where he became an outcast to the subordinates who once adored him.
Drucker presented the primary results as a stinging end to Dichter's current political chapter. "Today it ended with an insulting trampling of the remainder of his career," he said. "Now he will have to knock on Netanyahu's doors, who might integrate him into the work, as the Prime Minister announced." Drucker then added a personal jab regarding Dichter's future: "More likely, after the trial, we will find him in afternoon commentary on Channel 14, a bit like Uzi Dayan, talking about Hamas."
After finishing the monologue, Drucker turned to the studio panelists, clarifying that for him, the primary results were a reason for celebration. "Good evening. This is a night of celebration," he said. "Can we celebrate that we got rid of some of the most terrible people in Israeli politics?"
Drucker added with a smile that his long introduction was a substitute for festive refreshments: "I did the whole introduction because it was our studio's substitute for baklava." He then mentioned other Knesset members who failed to reach realistic spots on the Likud list: "Do you want a wafer in honor of the event that we got rid of Idit Silman? With gluten or without gluten? Avichai Boaron? We are only making coffee and eating the wafer."
