Yaalon tells Netanyahu will join Likud
After a lengthy period of indecision, former chief of staff informs Likud chairman he intends to vie for position on party's roster ahead of general elections. Formal press conference to be held on Tuesday
Off the fence and into politics: Former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Yaalon has informed Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu that he intends to contend for a spot on the party's roster in the upcoming primaries ahead of the general elections.
Yaalon and Netanyahu are expected to hold a joint press conference on Tuesday to announce the move.
Yaalon has held talks with top-ranking Likud officials for some time now, but refrained from giving his final answer until now. He won't be the only fresh face in the Likud lineup though, as Netanyahu has courted both new and veteran public figures to join (or rejoin) the party. In recent days former MKs Benny Begin and Dan Meridor have both announced they intend to return to the Likud fold.
The party suffered a blow on Monday after former Minister Uzi Landau announced he is walking out on Likud to join Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu.
"The common denominator for all Likud members is the desire for peace and security," Netanyahu said at a party rally in Tel Aviv on Sunday.
"Instead of running from terrorism, we will fight it. And alongside this we will hold negotiations based on realism, while maintaining our interests," he said.
