Skip to main content

Meridor Saddened by Likud's 'Ultra-Nationalist' Turn

Dan Meridor, a former "prince” of the Likud Party, comments to Mazal Mualem on the right-wing turn in the Likud Party and his doubts regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ability to lead an important diplomatic process.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) speaks with Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor during a Likud party meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem September 20, 2011. Netanyahu leaves for New York on Wednesday to address the United Nations where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is pursuing a bid for full U.N. membership for a Palestinian state.    REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2RL9O
Read in 

Last winter, old friends Ministers Dan Meridor and Benny Begin sat next to one another at one of the Likud faction’s weekly meetings. The two ministers shrunk into their chairs as they watched yet another fire-and-brimstone performance against the Supreme Court. This one was led by the party’s right-wing department, the darlings of the settlers: Knesset members Tzipi Hotovely, Danny Danon and Zeev Elkin.

Those were the days when the Likud raged over the High Court of Justice’ directive to evacuate the houses of the illegal Migron hilltop outpost, which was built on private land. Elkin and other Knesset Members tried to initiate a “High Court bypass law.” They faced a wall of opposition — Meridor, Begin and Minister Michael (Miki) Eitan who succeeded in thwarting the proposed bill.

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.