Where now for Likud?
There was even talk of a coalition with the ultra-orthodox Shas party to help Likud’s cause The Likud party is facing a protracted and difficult rebuilding process in the wake of its devastating defeat in the country’s general election. Not only was Binyamin Netanyahu ejected from office by Labour’s Ehud Barak, his party lost a massive 13 Knesset seats. The ultra-orthodox right-wing Shas party made dramatic gains, taking 17 of the 120 seats – just two behind Likud. While few Likud leaders have made public pronouncements other than to praise their resolutely-defeated leader, Israeli newspaper commentators are reporting that senior Likud members are privately pinning the blame on Mr Netanyahu for the meltdown at the polls. Today’s conventional wisdom says the media-savvy Mr Netanyahu was too slick for the Israeli people who have turned back to the old-style Israeli politician – a solid, no-frills military man. Leadership race Senior Likud figures are also now positioning themselves for t
