Likud representatives alleged on Thursday that a new video involving senior and former IDF officers, along with high-ranking officials from Israel's other security agencies, was further proof of the millions of dollars being transferred from leftist organizations in the U.S. and Europe to radical leftist Israeli groups. According to Likud officials, the "Commanders for Israel's Security" campaign is aimed at "toppling the Netanyahu-led Likud government illegally."
In the video aired Thursday on Channel 2 News, former IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. (ret.) Dan Halutz was seen attacking the current government, along with former Mossad Director Zvi Zamir and others.
"It comes as no surprise that a failed chief of staff who left the IDF after misconduct surrounding the Second Lebanon War is leading this morally questionable political campaign," one Likud official said. "The only party to choose from is the Likud, led by Netanyahu, who will continue to boldly defend Israel's security."
The "Commanders for Israel's Security" group issued a statement, although it contradicts itself: On one hand, the group's website states that "the initiative does not stem from any private, political or business interests" and is an "independent and apolitical movement." On the other, its members are urging Netanyahu to accept the Saudi peace initiative aimed at reaching a deal with the Palestinians.
Furthermore, the group also refused to disclose its sources of funding, but Channel 2 News reporter Amit Segal said the main donor is Texas-based businessman Daniel Lubetzky, who is also associated with the Victory 2015 campaign, which is openly seeking to unseat Netanyahu.
Lubetzky, a Jewish-American billionaire, is also the founder and main funder of OneVoice, which helps finance V15 activity. In total, there are six or seven independent campaigns working to unseat Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, Victory 2015 activists told the Central Elections Committee on Thursday that their campaign was a "spontaneous movement."
In response to a Likud petition to the Central Elections Committee, V15 issued a response, saying: "We are a group of Israelis who gathered spontaneously without previous ties. We are comprised of young people, some with a political past in various parties. The group stresses the need to replace the current government including its prime minister."
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