Israel Matzav

Danon: Netanyahu has no place in the Likud

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "no place in Likud" should he sign a peace deal with the Palestinians, Deputy Defense Minister and Likud MK Danny Danon said on Sunday.

Speaking to an audience of Likud activists in Judea and Samaria, Danon, who won the fifth spot on the Likud party list and who chairs the Likud Central Committee, was critical of the prime minister's ostensible drive to push a deal with the Palestinian Authority after peace talks resumed in late July, threatening to oppose even a temporary agreement. 

"What would happen if, heaven forbid, the negotiations that are supposed to span another eight months lead to an agreement, and the prime minister brings that agreement to the coalition for a vote? Will we still say that we feel bad shaming the prime minister?" Danon asked in comments aired by Channel 2 News. 

Danon spoke out against a provisional agreement with the Palestinians should a permanent settlement be unattainable in the current round of negotiations. 

"I say here, to [Likud] members very clearly: If [an interim agreement] comes up, the Likud movement needs to come out and say that whoever tries to promote a deal like this, his place is not in Likud." 

Colleagues of Danon said the deputy defense minister was not trying to oust Netanyahu from Likud. They said a provisional agreement with the Palestinians would go against the party platform, and therefore Danon voiced his opposition. 

Labels: Binyamin Netanyahu, Danny Danon, Likud party, Middle East peace process

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:58 AM