Skip to main content

Knesset Member Elkin: 'I Don't Believe in Real Peace'

Likud Knesset member Zeev Elkin is the reflection of the Israeli right's new elite: Russian, Orthodox and a settler, explains Lily Galili.
Members of the 19th Knesset, the new Israeli parliament, stand as President Shimon Peres arrives to their swearing-in ceremony in Jerusalem February 5, 2013. REUTERS/Uriel Sinai/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3DDXN
Read in 

Knesset member Zeev Elkin (Likud Beitenu) plans on becoming prime minister. “It’s a long-term plan,” he said. “I’ve got time and patience. I need to gain more experience. I’m not one of those politicians who barely settle into the Knesset seats before announcing that they will be prime minister.” Elkin plans a stop on this long route: to serve as minister of education. Overtaking Avigdor Liberman as “the leading right-wing Russian” is a critical step on his way.

The interview with Elkin, 41, was conducted right before the swearing-in ceremony for the new Knesset, the third in which he will serve, at his home in the settlement of Kfar Eldad. The small settlement, of just over 100 families, is right on the very edge of the Judean Desert. It is so small that when you ask someone to place it for you, they say, “It’s near Hanokdim,” another small settlement that has gained notoriety thanks to the fact that it is where former Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman lives. You reach both of the settlements by taking a relatively new road that bypasses Palestinian villages on the way and cuts travel time from Jerusalem to 25 minutes. In the local lingo, it is known as Liberman Road. Urban legend has it that the road was paved for the convenience of the chairperson of Israel Beiteinu. While driving down it, you pass by the Herodium, a military base that is very surprisingly positioned, as it is practically adjacent to a lovely Palestinian home, and it would appear that the two of them live exceedingly well side by side.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.