For a real Betari, those who remember the days of Ze’ev Jabotinsky and Menachem Begin, MK Reuven Rivlin represents that generation, the revisionists, statesman and visionary, the Likud/Herut of yesteryear.

Later this week the Likud/Beitenu faction is likely to meet to select the next Knesset Speaker, and even if there is a secret ballot, Rivlin is not likely to run for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has already informed him that he will not support him for the post of speaker in the new government. Rivlin, once viewed as the Likud’s candidate for president is no longer suitable for the post of speaker.

The harsh realities of Israeli politics have hit the veteran statesman hard, but despite his proud Betar roots, and having served in Knesset since 1988, he no longer has a majority among his peers for the post, which will most likely go to former Diaspora Affairs Minister Yuli Edelstein.

Rivlin is expected to give a harsh address directed against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, in which he will remind his colleagues that back in days 5.5 years ago when Likud was a 12-MK party in the opposition and President Shimon Peres was running for the post, he (Rivlin) told Netanyahu there is no point in running because he cannot beat out Peres.

Netanyahu however told him he must run; praising his values and his reputation, and the fact that Rivlin represents the values and beliefs of the party. “What happened since then” Rivlin asks, questioning why the same person who was a suitable presidential candidate in 2006 cannot be suitable as Knesset Speaker in 2013.

Nevertheless, some of the Rivlin supporters feel that the veteran MK will nevertheless run in the presidential race in 2014, even though his chances of success are diminished since he will be running as a regular MK, not speaker.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)