Before we wrap up the primary campaign, I wish to express a heartfelt thanks to all of my supporters. To push the faith-based alternative uphill, over long years and against all odds, is a task that I could never have done alone. You, the supporters, who see the vision and destiny in front of your eyes, are always ready and willing to make sacrifices to deal with the difficult and sometimes gloomy reality. You are the secret of our success.
You, who took a day off from work to drive voters throughout the country to the polls; you, who stood in the cold and rain for hours and insisted on voting despite all the tricks and shticks employed to prevent you from doing so; you, who spent hours calling voters from your private phones to convince them to vote for me; you, who spent the entire day at the polls persuading voters, observing the vote and trying to deal with all the voting shenanigans that took place; you, who donated your hard-earned money to help our campaign – I am grateful to all of you. You and all of our supporters are the pioneers leading the way, bearing the message of the faith-based revolution and the great hope for the nation of Israel and its state.
Our position is far better at the end of this election campaign than it was before the election. To sum up the election, we crossed the “Green Line” in a big way.
In absolute numbers, we doubled our vote total from the last election. Three- quarters of the votes we received this time were from cities and towns throughout Israel. The faith-based alternative has become part and parcel of the national camp. It has made its way to the fore, fighting to be recognized. One quarter of the Likud (without taking into account the election fraud that is unfortunately becoming apparent) is already there. This is the most momentous achievement of this election.
Despite very difficult opening conditions that no other person in the Likud dared take on, we ran a focused, ideological campaign. Thank God, we have emerged strengthened and full of positive energies.
For the first time, we ran against a very strong incumbent prime minister. We had to deal with a totally obedient cabinet that stood behind him at all the rallies and in their media dealings. We ran despite the fact that not one person from the entire Knesset faction dared to step out of line and support me. We ran against colossal financial support on behalf of Prime Minister Netanyahu and a never-ending stream of text messages to the voters from Netanyahu, Minister Yuli Edelstein (in Russian) and the Likud’s executive director – while we had a budget permitting us to send only one text message. We ran against a party machine that activated a well-oiled mechanism of mayors and Likud branches. And we ran against a barrage of threats. Despite all these obstacles, every fourth Likud member in Bat Yam, Holon and Yavne came forward and voted for me.
As more and more proof of voting fraud comes to light, we can safely say that it is very likely that the actual number of votes we received is significantly higher. But that is not the point. We must understand that just as the land of Israel was acquired through suffering, so will be the leadership of Israel. In this way, though, it is acquired for eternity.
The way ahead for us is still long, treacherous and complex. There are important lessons for us to learn, changes that need to be made, and a new approach that we must adopt in the Likud. But there are three things that must be done immediately: Sign up new members for the Likud, make any necessary changes in your Likud membership, and, most important, ride the wave of the hearts that have been opened in this campaign and connect to your local Likud branch. This is the most authentic and honest way to make your mark. Learn from our supporters in Petach Tikva, Rosh Ha’ayin, Netanya, Haifa, Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh and throughout the country. In every place where these connections were made, we had tremendous election results.
Connection is the true secret. It is the name of the game. When we authentically connect with our fellow Jews, nobody can separate us from the faith and true will of the majority of the Israeli public.
May we merit the ability to perfect the world in the Kingdom of Heaven.