Former Public Security Minister Avi Dichter leveled scathing criticism at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week, telling Israel Hayom that the fact the prime minister denied him a ministerial seat was an underhanded move.
Dichter, who joined Likud after a distinguished career in the Israel Security Agency, including a stint as Shin Bet director, said he sees his political future in the Likud and plans to vie for its leadership.
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But unlike other senior Likud members, who have expressed similar aspirations but stated they will not run against Netanyahu in the party primaries, Dichter asserts that he will not hesitate to challenge the prime minister.
A furious Dichter said that "10 days before the [government] portfolios division, I told Netanyahu what I wanted and what I was interested in. He said he still wasn't focused on the issue [of assigning ministerial positions.]
"For those following 10 days I couldn't reach him. I kept getting blocked [by his associates]. I wanted to make sure I wouldn't be left out and they kept telling me they'll get back to me 'very soon.' It was like that every day. "
According to the former minister, three days before the new government was sworn in, "A delegate came to see me with a ludicrous offer such as being named chairman of the Jewish National Fund. I turned it down. I explained that I wasn't there to look for a job – I wanted to influence the government from within."
Netanyahu, he said, made a mistake by snubbing him.
"You can say this decision was dismissive of 130,000 registered [Likud] voters. Netanyahu made a serious mistake. It was a gross personal affront and I made sure to make that clear to him in a harsh conversation we had.
"This decision was wrong. It made no sense and it offended me personally."
Dichter stressed that he sees his political future in the Likud party.
"I plan to vie for the Likud's leadership as well as for the premiership. That's why I'm in politics.
"Everyone in Likud understands Netanyahu won't head it forever, even Netanyahu. A party that has only one candidate – that's a poor showing for a party. Running against him doesn't scare me," Dichter said.
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