Israeli media have been highlighting the rapprochement between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Arab public, noting, in particular, the "political deals and cooperation" between the premier and Ra'am party leader MK Mansour Abbas. Behind closed doors, however, Netanyahu paints a different picture entirely: "We're obviously against Mansour Abbas, he's from the Islamic Movement, he doesn't recognize Zionism; what do he and I have in common?!"
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According to Netanyahu, "We are competing for votes. He is competing against me. People are talking about cooperation between us, what can I say, such wonderful cooperation. Just a month ago he voted with Yair Lapid on a bill that was supposed to prevent me from serving as prime minister."
Netanyahu believes the recent reports are an orchestrated campaign spearheaded by the "anyone-but-Bibi" bloc, intended to legitimize Arab votes in order to establish a government with Arab parties after the upcoming election. "They [the anyone-but-Bibi camp] are trying to legitimize them in order to partner with Balad. We are not legitimizing them, I'm against them; it's propaganda from the Left. We support the Arab voters but are completely opposed to the anti-Zionist parties."
Without mentioning a specific number of mandates the Arab public could grant the Likud, the prime minister has cited the "large number of supporters, a lot of people, disappointed that the Arab parties voted against the peace accords I established." According to the premier, there are "countless" Arab candidates competing for an assured spot on the Likud ticket.
In recent weeks, meanwhile, the center-left parties have continued their search for a winning formula. Presently, the magic word is "merger," but many hurdles still remain before that takes place.
And within Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai's fledgling Israelis party, it has not been smooth sailing. An official from the newly formed party told Israel Hayom that "there's been some disappointment. The campaign isn't working and the party isn't gaining traction in accordance with expectations. We haven't come out as strong as we thought."
The center-left camp, as stated, is in search of mergers, and all eyes are fixed on Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid, who seems more interested in joining forces with former Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar's New Hope party.
Lapid on Saturday told Channel 12's "Meet the Press" that "Ron Huldai is a very worthy individual, we have a good relationship." Discussing Sa'ar, Lapid said, "I see an option of joining him in a coalition, together we engineered the downfall of the current government."
As for Blue and White leader Benny Gantz's call for center-left parties to unite, Lapid discounted his former political ally: "There are no negotiations between me and Benny Gantz, we haven't spoken since the breakup of Blue and White. Our door is open because we need to create a governmental alternative."
Gantz, for his part, issued the following statement on Saturday evening: "It's very troubling to me that Huldai, [Moshe Ya'alon], [Ofer] Shelah, and [Yaron] Zelekha aren't cross the electoral threshold, and aren't calling for unification. Friends, if we unite, we win."
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