Minister of Communications Moshe Kahlon has announced that he will support Likud and not form an independent party.
Despite polls which projected 20 Knesset seats for a party headed by Minister of Communications Moshe Kahlon, he has decided not to run in the upcoming elections at the head of an independent political party. On Friday, Likud party leaders and key activities told Kahlon that if he ran independently it would be a blow to the Likud, and that they would prevent him from setting up a new political party.
In a statement, Kahlon said, "On October 14, I announced that I was taking a time-out from political life, and that I would not run for the 19th Knesset, and I am sticking with this decision. It is not a coincidence that you have not heard me speak about establishing a new political party over the past week. The reason is that there is no new party. There were contacts, there were polls, which belying reports, I did not request, there was pressure and I, as I always do, listened to them all. That is how I have always acted, without arrogance. I listened to everyone, but I have not changed my mind. The Likud is home; my political home and my social home. In the upcoming elections, I will work for the victory of the Likud headed by Netanyahu, and I will play an active role in the 100-days teams to draw up reforms that will ease the cost of living and change the system of government. I intend to work outside the government and the Knesset to promote a social agenda. I wish to take this opportunity to call on Israel's citizens to support the Likud headed by Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 4, 2012
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012