Rebellion in Likud: David Amsalem 'Crowns' Gadi Eisenkot
Minister David Amsalem criticized Benjamin Netanyahu in a radio interview while offering unexpected praise for Gadi Eisenkot. The remarks have sparked significant political debate within the Likud party.
The interview given by Minister David Amsalem to 103fm radio has become a ticking bomb for the Likud party and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the conversation, Amsalem not only criticized internal party processes ahead of the primaries but also did something no one had dared to do before: he gave Gadi Eisenkot a compliment that effectively sounded like a political coronation.
Amsalem spoke out against Netanyahu's decision to reserve eight spots for himself in the party list. "The Likud does not belong to any one person, including the Prime Minister. The Likud was here before Netanyahu and will be here after him," the minister stated. He argued that Netanyahu is strengthening his power at the expense of the people who have built the party alongside him for years.
A Political Gesture Toward a Rival
Amsalem then turned to the campaign that Netanyahu's circle is waging against Gadi Eisenkot. "I am very fond of Gadi Eisenkot," he said, calling him a good man who has contributed significantly to the country. Amsalem added that, given his background, Eisenkot is a natural fit for the Likud and expressed his willingness to help him if he were to join the party.
This statement sparked outrage among the Prime Minister's supporters. Yinon Magal and other pundits were quick to accuse Amsalem of undermining the party's position. However, observers suggest that Amsalem simply voiced what many in the Likud prefer to keep quiet: a significant portion of Likud voters sympathize with Eisenkot as a statesman and a man of the people, rather than the "enemy" caricature depicted by the propaganda machine.
David Amsalem, much like David Bitan, has shown a willingness to openly express disagreement with the party leadership's dictates. His words served as a double message: he reminded Netanyahu of the temporary nature of his leadership while effectively offering Eisenkot legitimacy from within the Likud. This interview serves as a striking example of how a few sentences can shift the political agenda and expose deep-seated tensions within the ruling party.
