Former Shin Bet security agency director Yuval Diskin announced over the weekend that he would join the Left's efforts to stop Benjamin Netanyahu from being elected prime minister again. Toward the end of his term in 2011, Diskin was at loggerheads with Netanyahu, and while he has stressed that he has no political aspirations, he pledged to help the Left and centrist parties' efforts to counter's the Right's chances to form the next government. In a Facebook post, Diskin wrote, "We have to realize that we have come to a fork in the road. We can either continue on the frantic 'dead-end' path pursued by Netanyahu, [Habayit Hayehudi leader Naftali] Bennett, and [Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor] Lieberman, which is leading us toward social, economic, security, and diplomatic oblivion; or we can choose a new path, one that knows how to link together the four cornerstones of our existence -- security, the economy, social issues, and a diplomatic process -- and bring about change and hope." Diskin said the public "must demand the heads of the Left and centrist parties to put their egos aside and unite in this joint cause. If we get the impression one of them cannot put his ego aside, we should 'punish' them in the ballots in unequivocal terms. Personally, I plan to join forces with many good people I have met, who operate outside the political system, to make sure that happens." A Likud statement said, "Yuval Diskin has shown his true, radical-leftist colors a long time ago, and his views have effectively made him a political player for the Left." Habayit Hayehudi MK Uri Orbach criticized the former Shin Bet chief, saying, "Yuval Diskin has no more authority, spiritual or otherwise, than anyone else. The animosity toward Netanyahu is the only thing gluing the Left bloc together." Despite Diskin's statement that he has no intention of entering politics, a recording aired by Channel 10 on Saturday suggested the opposite; Diskin is heard clearly saying he is considering a political career, but not in the coming elections.
Right must be blocked, former Shin Bet chief says
Yuval Diskin warns of Right-led "social, economic, security, and diplomatic oblivion," urges public to opt for "a new path" • Likud: Diskin has shown his true radical-leftist colors • MK Orbach: Animosity for PM the only thing gluing Left bloc together.
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