Likud Central Committee vote today wasn’t about the future of Jerusalem

Dr. Aaron Lerner
IMRA
Weekly Commentary
29 April '10

Let’s be clear about this: The Likud Central Committee vote today wasn’t about the future of Jerusalem. And while the vote indeed demonstrated the ability of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to get things done in the Likud, his success was very much because the issue on the agenda (postponing internal elections) had nothing to do with national policy.

Related: A Short Analysis of the Likud Central Committee Voting - Manhigut

Binyamin Netanyahu did not get carte blanche from the Likud Central Committee. If anything, Netanyahu’s victory on the vote was achieved thanks to the clarifications and assurances on national policy matters that he apparently gave to various key Likud personalities to garner their support.

Is Binyamin Netanyahu planning to divide Jerusalem – or even just to extend the housing construction freeze beyond the ten month period? (see the countdown at:
www.dannydanon.com/he/index.php/the-news/166-hourglass )

His answer to both is an adamant “no”.

Netanyahu’s positions on these issues reflect his own convictions. That doesn’t negate, however, the importance of the real politic justifications for his stands – this especially when American acceptance of a real politic justification isn’t predicated on having to agree with Mr. Netanyahu’s policy arguments.

Is that his final word?

I would like to think so.

And it is our duty to do everything in our power to help make sure that this is indeed the case.

The Likud MKs and ministers know that if as a result of unforeseen circumstances, Knesset elections were advanced, that the roster of Likud members qualified to vote in the Likud Party primaries would punish those who supported policies in defiance of their constituents. And they also know that various party enrollment campaigns are more than likely to balance each other out.

Nonetheless, there is no room for apathy.

This is not a question of personalities.

It is not a reflection on Binyamin Netanyahu.

Because the absolute last thing any Israeli leader needs, when facing world pressure, is carte blanche from his constituents.

Also related: Israel’s Right Discovers Political Sanity

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