Key donor urges Netanyahu to step aside, run for president

• Author: Arutz Sheva Staff
• Published date: 05 April 2021
• Publication title: Israel National News (Israel)

Rabbi Joseph Gutnick, an Australian-Jewish mining magnate and prominent Chabad-Lubavitch philanthropist who donated heavily to Netanyahu's 1996 campaign, sent a text message to Netanyahu Sunday night, urging him to allow another candidate from the Right to receive the mandate to form a government.

Gutnick called on Netanyahu to run instead for the presidency, and to work to bring both the Yamina and New Hope parties into the Likud.

"Dear Bibi, please do not let the opportunity of forming a 65/66 right-wing government slip away," Gutnick texted Netanyahu. "Act according to the wishes of the Rebbe."

"Accept the honor of being President of Israel through which you can achieve so much. Bring Saar and...