Three months after her break from the Bayit Yehudi party, Shaked on erev Shabbos was interviewed by Ofir Hadad of News12, addressing the New Right party’s failure to enter Knesset in the last election.

“We did not believe why it occurred relative to our standing in the polls. We thought the situation was better, and said we are coming in a positive optimistic attitude; and looking back, we are aware we erred” Shaked explained, adding, “There were numerous mistakes and by a type of miracle, we have another chance, and I am very hopeful we will not fail”.

She added “There were many mistakes, and the essence of the campaign was wrong, specifically the campaign regarding cabinet posts – security and the High Court – and we could have done it differently”.

Regarding the break from Bayit Yehudi, she added, “I am connected to the religious Zionism and for me, it was difficult to leave the party, but the idea was correct. There is room for a secular and religious party and by this, we can increase our bloc. Our goal is good, but in the final results, we did not pass the test. We will do whatever possible to prevent right wing votes from being trashed”.

Shaked explained that regarding the decision of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to fire her as Minister of Justice was a mistake, but it was his prerogative to do so, adding she very much hopes to return to the position, but realizes it is dependent on the public, the voters, stating she still hopes to accomplish a great deal in the Justice Ministry towards improving and correcting the situation. She had words of praise for Attorney General Dr. Avichai Mandelblit and State Prosecutor, who she referred to “as real professionals and straight individuals”.

She explains that she is now currently studying the mistakes of the last election towards “saving as many right-wing votes as possible”. Regarding her place in the upcoming election, she promises in the coming weeks, as the lists for the parties are finalized, her decision will become evident.

Regarding the future, “all options remain open” she explained, citing that after “the era of Netanyahu, Naftali Bennet is suited to serve as prime minister” and she feels in another few years, “I will be too”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)