Likud estimates Netanyahu is on the way to a surprising reservation: "Protect the right-wing bloc"

Communications Minister, MK Dr. Shlomo Karhi from Likud, addressed today (Wednesday) in an interview with Gadi Ness on Radio North 104.5FM the upcoming Likud primaries and the reservations requested by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Karhi clarified that he himself is not interested in a reservation, and criticized ministers and MKs who seek to secure their place on the list in this way.

"Who needs protection, the strong or the weak?" asked Karhi. "Do I look like someone who needs the protection of a reservation? Even if they offered me one, I wouldn't accept it. I want to go, after four years that I worked for the voters of Likud, the right, and the people of Israel, to see what the public thinks of me. Did I do good, and did I represent you faithfully, or do you want a change?"

According to him, he believes that his work in recent years will be reflected in the primaries: "I believe that Likud voters saw my hard work and will put me in a better place than last time." However, Karhi emphasized that he supports the decision to grant Netanyahu the authority for reservations. "I trust the Prime Minister and gave him full backing on this matter, and I brought many central committee members to vote for his proposal," he said. "He sees the big picture, which other segments of the population we want to reach. New MKs cannot go to Likud voters from one moment to the next, rather you do the work of months and years."

Karhi explained that from his perspective, the reservations are intended first and foremost for broader political needs of the right-wing bloc. "The Likud institutions gave Prime Minister Netanyahu the authority and trust him. It is clear to us for whom he is reserving spots — Gideon Sa'ar by agreement between the parties, perhaps Smotrich and Ben Gvir to keep the bloc. The new ones will receive, and we gave support to the Prime Minister on the matter."

However, regarding incumbent Likud members, Karhi was much more decisive: "But those who were our MKs and receive a reservation, that is certainly, to the best of my understanding, not that the Prime Minister approached and asked them to accept a reservation — and that is in my eyes ridiculous." Regarding Defense Minister Israel Katz, Karhi said: "I don't think Israel Katz has a basis for concern. That senior ministers wrap themselves in the protection of a reservation — that is ridiculous in my eyes, and Likud voters see it."

Karhi also touched on his relations with Netanyahu and said that the fact that the Prime Minister did not offer him a reservation actually strengthens his sense of trust between them. "I am close to the Prime Minister and I know how much he loves and appreciates me. The Prime Minister told me not to resign under the Norwegian Law in the four years, despite pressures, so that I would remain in the Knesset. I see this as an expression of trust. If he had offered me one, I would have felt it as an expression of disrespect."

"The current messiah of the left is Eisenkot"

Later, Karhi moved to attack his political rivals. On Naftali Bennett he said: "Is there anyone who reached the bottom more than him? Who signed a document on live broadcast and betrayed his voters? What are we talking about, the promises of a crook? He promises and intends not to keep the promises." According to him, people understand this, as they see how the opposition is crashing in the polls.

On Gadi Eisenkot, Karhi said that "the left needs to somehow distribute its votes, so today the current messiah of the left is Eisenkot — who wore the uniform of refusal of Brothers in Arms and called for refusal." Karhi added: "Eisenkot wants to put Yair Golan, Gaby Lasky, the hugger of terrorists, Naama Lazimi and Mansour Abbas. They are building the infrastructure for the second Muslim Brotherhood government."

He further attacked: "Are we missing crazy people whose old age shamed their youth? Look at Ehud Barak, Bogy Ya'alon and the crazy group. Look at Yair Golan himself who said about the State of Israel and IDF soldiers 'baby killers as a hobby'. The founders of the left 30-40 years ago are turning in their graves when they see what became of the Labor party."

"If there was a draft law — thousands and tens of thousands would enlist"

Later, Karhi addressed the draft law, claiming it is a "historic" move. He also attacked MK Yuli Edelstein: "He is one of those who harmed the security of the IDF, did not allow reaching an agreement and went with the same draconian legal counsel that tried to go against the policy of the government and the Knesset, which caused that there is no draft law in Israel today." According to him, "Despite this, our government established the Hashmonaim Brigade, and in the last year twice as many Haredim enlisted. If there was a draft law, thousands and tens of thousands from the Haredi public would enlist."

Karhi concluded with an attack on the Attorney General and the opposition leaders: "This religious war would stop if Baharav-Miara, Lapid and Lieberman did not want to enlist the Haredim for their incitement campaign. If the Haredim enlist, then what will they tell the voters? They have nothing to sell."