Speaking to Israel’s Reshet Bet Radio on Sunday, premiership hopeful Binyamin Netanyahu, who heads the Likud opposition party, spoke of his plans in the event he is elected as Israel’s next prime minister. The polls do indicate that if elections were held today, he is most likely to emerge as the next prime minister.

Netanyahu was asked if he would honor an agreement signed by Prime Minister Olmert, who according to reports is working tenaciously to sign an agreement with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) in the coming two weeks, an agreement that may include concessions regarding Israel’s sovereignty over Yerushalayim and the issue PA demands regarding the right of return for so-called Palestinian refugees.

Netanyahu stated that the legal ramifications of such a document would have to be examined, explaining that despite Olmert’s lack of a mandate from the nation he is still prime minister. The opposition leader condemned Israel’s “wholesale” release of prisoners and receiving nothing in return, reflecting back to his days as a soldier and officer, speaking of when he and others made efforts to apprehend members of the Syrian parliament towards negotiating the release of pilots.

“At times we use the stick and sometimes the carrot but we never continue giving without receiving anything in return.”

Netanyahu also promised to stand at the helm of a Education Cabinet that he plans to establish, stating we must strive for “excellence and Zionism” [in a play on the Hebrew words], stating that just like Ariel Sharon as prime minister gave him firm backing for his fiscal reforms, he would do the same for the education minister. Netanyahu reminded listeners it was he who brought Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fisher, and he promises to introduce other professionals.

Analysts confirm reports that Netanyahu is conducting talks with many notables, seemingly targeting the centrist right-wing such as [former IDF Northern Commander] Yossi Peled. Reshet Bet commentator Chanan Crystal stated that National Union MK Effie Eitam requested a slot on the Likud lineup, but Netanyahu would not give him a guaranteed slot, indicating he would have to compete in the party primaries for his place on the roster. Eitam is considered a political hawk.

Most polls predict the race for prime minister will be Netanyahu against Tzipi Livni, who is expected to emerge the successor in the upcoming Kadima primaries.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)