Likud MKs oppose Netanyahu's party constitution change

Several Likud MKs voice opposition to motion to change party's constitution to be voted on by Central Committee. MK Miri Regev says, 'Just as one doesn't change rules in middle of football game - elections should be held as planned' Amnon Meranda

Published: 04.28.10, 12:50 / Israel News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is touring the country in an effort to persuade Likud Central Committee members to support a bid to change the party's constitution. His fiercest opposition comes from Moshe Feiglin and his supporters, however some Likud Knesset members have also voiced their objection to the move.

Party Intrigue

Netanyahu: Feiglin shouldn't preach to us / Shmulik Hadad

Prime minister slams Likud hardliner and his supporters, says 'they want to teach me and Yaalon how to protect Jerusalem. We are not a marginal sect'

 ISRAEL: New campaign counts down to end of settlement construction freeze

 April 23, 2010 | 10:57 am 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December declared a 10-month construction freeze in the West Bank settlements. He said he hoped the move would "help launch meaningful negotiations to reach an historic peace agreement that would finally end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians."

It could have, maybe, but the freeze -- gradually renamed "suspension" -- was partial, didn't include East Jerusalem and was rejected by the Palestinians. Things floundered around until last month when ill-timed reports of construction planned in Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem dragged down peace matters -- along with Israeli-U.S. relations -- during Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Israel.

Netanyahu has since been under heavy pressure to apply a full freeze in Jerusalem and come up with a positive policy on other issues. After weeks of consultations among the ministerial "forum of seven," Netanyahu answered U.S. demands, reportedly a list of 11 points. On Jerusalem, the answer was no. At least publicly. Haaretz columnist Akiva Eldar writes that President Obama has offered Netanyahu a gentleman's agreement on Jerusalem, understanding that Netanyahu cannot afford to hint that Jerusalem is being treated like West Bank settlements -- a Middle East version of "don't ask, don't tell."

The freeze is already halfway through, ending in September, right around the corner.