Editor’s Note: The following (after introductory remarks) are translated excerpts from a recent interview with Moshe Feiglin on Kan Moreshet Radio.
As time goes on, it is becoming clear that the factor that will determine if Israel goes to early elections or not is the Sa’ar Bill. The proposed bill says that after elections, the president must automatically appoint the person whose party won the most votes to form the next government coalition.
For Netanyahu, this bill is a matter of political survival. Netanyahu believes he will be re-elected. This time, however, it will be under the shadow of an indictment. He fears that the president will take advantage of the delicate situation and appoint a different MK of Likud – in this case, Gideon Sa’ar, to form the next coalition and then become prime minister.
The current law allows the president to do so. If the Sa’ar Bill is passed, the president will be required to appoint the party chairman, in this case, Netanyahu. On the day the Sa’ar Bill is passed, get ready for early elections.
Do you think that the prime minister is paranoid? Or that Gideon Sa’ar really is planning with President Rivlin to usurp his place in forming the next coalition?
I think the prime minister is correct. I know all the people involved here: the prime minister, President Rivlin, and Gideon Sa’ar. This scenario is very likely to occur. It’s very possible this is why Netanyahu did not want the government to fall three weeks ago.
If the Likud unfortunately wins the elections again, I believe President Rivlin will say that he believes in democracy, but he cannot appoint a person who has been indicted to form the coalition. “Therefore,” he will say, “I have turned to the other parties and asked them whom they would recommend from the Likud to form the coalition.” And the other parties will recommend Gideon Sa’ar, who has always been sure to cultivate ties with Israel’s Left over the years.
Why don’t you join with Otzma Yehudit as a technical bloc in order for both parties to enter the Knesset? After the elections, you can separate.
The marijuana party also wants to create a technical bloc with Zehut in order to get past the voting threshold and into the Knesset. But we will not join with Otzma Yehudit or the marijuana party or even the Jewish Home party. Zehut is not a sectoral party. We turn to the entire Israeli population with a very broad, coherent agenda.
Did you calculate how many votes you will lose as opposed to how many you would gain by running with Otzma Yehudit? Is this a political decision or a principled decision?
Both political and principled. I like the Otzma people very much. I agree with much of what they do and their ideology. But we must understand that their real merger should be with the National Union party. Both of their platforms are more religiously-based and in favor of a more centralized economy.
Parties have to know who their natural partners are. I hope they will get together and we will all cooperate from within the Knesset.