In a first interview granted since the announcement that criminal indictments are to be filed against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, senior Likud MK Gideon Saar appeared on the motzei Shabbos Meet the Press program and commented on the situation.

Saar called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to permit Likud to hold primaries immediately to avoid losing control of a right-wing government. During the Meet the Press interview, Saar was also dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s comments that the attorney general’s decision was “an attempt at a coup to topple the government.”

Netanyahu’s associates did not waste any time firing back at Saar. In a statement released by a Netanyahu spokesman in the name of Likud, it reads: “Saar as usual shows zero loyalty and maximum subversion.”

“It was a very difficult and sad night, but I wish to emphasize the prime minister is viewed as innocent and I hope that he will succeed in proving this”, added Saar. Saar continued and leveled criticism against the law-enforcement community. “I have been calling to amend the law enforcement system for years. Unfortunately, nothing has happened for over a decade, and things have even regressed.”

Saar then addressed the message released by Netanyahu, that the allegations against him are nothing more than efforts to unseat him from his leadership role. “It is not an attempted coup, and it is not only incorrect to say it is, but it is irresponsible to say such a thing. It is heresy against statehood.”

Saar added “It is possible to do many things in within the framework of the law, but one may not speak of the attorney general’s decision as being a coup. This will lead to chaos in the nation.

“Our problem is political, two consecutive elections and the prime minister failed to form a government. He received total backing from us, from each of us, during the elections and other processes. I did not hear from a single person that Netanyahu will succeed in forming a government after the 3rd, 4th and 5th elections.

“There is only one way that we can save the nation, as well as to promise another Likud-led government – by going to immediate primaries and to accept the democratic decision in Likud towards saving the Likud leadership and we can thereby extricate the nation from this chaos. This is the same systemic craze in which Netanyahu called to gain support for early primaries. Give your free support towards ensuring the continued Likud rule and this crazy crisis.

“I think I can easily form a government. I know I can unite the nation, but I think there are also others who feel the same way. If Likud members conduct primaries and declare they want Netanyahu to continue, the same slamming of one’s head against a wall, then this will be the path we continue on for this is the path of those who elect us…”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)