Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai announces new party called The Israelis Party

• Date: 29 December 2020
• Published date: 29 December 2020
• Author: GIL HOFFMAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Huldai was joined at the press conference by Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn, who will be his number two in the party.

"I decided I could no longer stand on the side and be silent," Huldai said. "Israel can and must be run differently."

Attacking the Right, he says the Center-Left need not vote for right-wingers Gideon Sa'ar, Ze'ev Elkin, Naftali Bennett and Bezalel Smotrich.

Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz spoke to Nissenkorn on Tuesday evening and asked him to resign after the justice minister left Blue and White for the new party being formed by Huldai.

Nissenkorn did not even bother telling Gantz that he was leaving his party. The Blue and White leader found out from a news brief he received on his phone.

"Nissenkorn found a new political home, so he should resign," Gantz said. "The Justice portfolio is one of Blue and White's top assets and we will continue working to maintain democracy and the rule of law."

Blue and White officials expressed outrage at Nissenkorn for betraying the party after Gantz fought Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent the Likud from harming the legal establishment.

"Nissenkorn is ungrateful,"...