Basked in surveys, enjoyed pursuits and at the end? Escaped to studies

The decision whether to run for the top of an independent social party was supposed to be taken by Welfare Minister Moshe Kahlon only today – Sunday. Somehow it leaked already in the midst of Shabbos, and at the end of Shabbos all of Israel was informed of the decision which is not really surprising. You can count on one hand the number of those who thought seriously that Kahlon will run long distances alone.

Even MK Haim Amsalem, who held negotiations with him to ride on his back all the way to the Knesset, for his party's platform, "Am Shalem", did not believe Moshe Kahlon was seriously of the stuff required to run bravely against the Likud.

So why and how, in fact, did Kahlon dance in the demons dance, from which he was reflected as a serial zig-zagger and as inconsistent?

Remember that with the dissolution of the Knesset, in the Likud faction meeting held that day, he promised - as he was sitting next to the Prime Minister - that despite his retirement he will continue to be part of the Likud. Last week, at the Likud conference held at the Exhibition Grounds, he directed the event, while giving unconditional backing to Netanyahu, who supported him in return with a 'bear hug', as he called to him, "Moshe, you are part of us."

Kahlon is not so gullible to believe these affections, he knows best the Prime Minister and the reliability of his words, and yet, after such outbursts of love, it was quite amusing to find Kahlon a few days later thinking "seriously" about establishing a party of his own.

Let's say he ran. How exactly would he have explained the statements he made that Netanyahu is a great Prime Minister? That it was the most social government in the last decade? That Netanyahu is the one who gave him the backing for the reforms to the Ministry of Communications, and if not for Bibi Bibi they would not advance?

Haim Amsalem. Photo:Archive

"What happened was," say people familiar with the modest welfare minister, "that Khalon was spun by the favorable surveys, forgetting for a moment his long-term interests, and for a moment imagined himself as capable of such an adventure." Within a day close ones, dozens of mayors and heads of branches of the movement - began to overwhelm him, all trying to convince him to run 'alone', while swearing allegiance to him. Suddenly, his cell phone almost collapsed, and Kahlon found himself facing a surge of love which he was never granted before. After all, just before he brought the cell news, the media didn't really 'count' the rather gray Minister.

But last week there was no one more courted than him.

Will he run? - Was the million dollar question. "He is not really able to," said one of his associates sincerely. "He is a dear, wonderful man, but the cut which doesn't like to quarrel with people. An election campaign in which he would run the party head to head with Likud - was not coming to him well."

After all, the Likud is not a cellular company, and elections can be very complex to manage for the man who likes to be a regular good guy and nice to everyone. It is one thing to be happy, to see you are courted by the Israeli electorate - at least in the polls, and a completely different thing is to carry out the will of the voter in practice.

Thus, shortly after his advisers happily received depth survey results, which gave him 18-20 seats, if he ran at the top of an independent list, they said that Kahlon considered, changed his mind, consulted with associates and family members, and decided that the adventure is not for him.

"Harvard studies are his next target," they say.

For a few days, Moshe Kahlon managed to capture all the headlines of the election. The media presented the polls predicting his chances in a complimentary way, as well as the soaring of parties who would join him, if and when. For a moment it seemed that the great honor that landed his way, managed to surprise even him.

Before leaving for France, the Prime Minister met with him. Kahlon promised not to decide until the meeting with Netanyahu. On Thursday a 'special envoy' was sent to him, Natan Eshel, and promised Heaven and earth (Eshel denies the allegations and claimed that "it's a lie"): a sure third place and ... the role of the Minister of Finance. Ostensibly, Kahlon's dream of came true. But, while riding on a wave of unprecedented public sympathy, one reminiscent of the love of the nation for Menachem Begin at the time, he was in no hurry to take up the challenge.

On the other hand, and here comes the biggest mistake of Netanyahu's bureau, an error of which many suffer - the sin of pride. It is no secret that there is an atmosphere in first Bureau of constant arrogance, as if they were and will always be on top of the world. As if their government is until the coming of the Mashiach. The atmosphere is somewhat reminiscent of the atmosphere of euphoria at Minister Eli Yishai's office.

Kahlon's associates describe a bureau which exudes "aggressive, predatory" atmosphere. They treated him as if he were their "David Levy". Another Oriental who "dreis a kop" with concern for the weak, and "unsuitable" agendas. When he said he has no heart to vote against the elderly, they laughed: "If you have no heart, go to a cardiologist."

The man who never hurt others, was hurt and kept it to himself. And when you put a person in the corner, letting him bear his bitterness, resentment and anger, do not expect that he won't hurt you in the future. So did Shas MK Haim Amsalem. In the end, these victims find the moment to retaliate in kind.

Now, looking from the side at the favorable polls, he can not but enjoy the Bureau's pathetic attempts to try and bring him back to its first lap. Statements like "you are our own", "You're part of flesh" had to be told months earlier.

"Be Kahlonim" Netanyahu once said to Likud ministers. Since - much water has gone through the drinking facilities of prime minister, and cooled the relationship.

Shas released a sigh of relief
Deri, Nahari conference Yishai of Shas. Photographer: Kobi Har Tzvi

At one point the overtures conducted and field tests by Kahlon's associates managed to stress many people. At the Likud they shook by the erosion of votes, the center and left were aware of the possibility that a party headed by the Minister of Social will bite at them, a hurtful 'bite'.

When he began, at some point, to look for a shelf party into which he could slide, and started feeling out Amsalem's party, Shas stress level rose to higher indices. As if it's not enough for them that Mizrahi is raising a glove of concern for the weak, but he does it with their heart and soul enemy?

The referral to Kahlon was not long in coming. Third of Shas Chairman, Aryeh Deri, rushed for an urgent meeting to remove the impending threat. It was last Thursday, Deri was staying since Wednesday night in the north, to explore a number of targets (those close to Deri denied the existence of the meeting, as well as the existence of a plan for such a meeting. "How can there be a meeting if Deri is north?" - They wondered, and forgot to tell that Kahlon lives in Haifa).

Tonight, with the final removal of the threat, Shas took a deep breath. "Kahlon's decision that he is not opening a party which will represent the weak and Oriental does not change the fact that in the next elections anyone looking for a party that cares for the poor, the tradition of Israel and the Jewish character of Israel, has only one address: a strong and united Shas," they informed.

The sound of cheering was heard until Haifa.

Kahlon at R' Chaim Kanievsky

Even if Kahlon will return to the ranks of the Likud, and even if he becomes finance minister - the poor of Israel can not rely on his good services in face of Netanyahu's intention of cuts.

This is actually the central dilemma of the elections, which urges people who do not believe in the Labor's political ideology - to give her their vote. This is precisely what Netanyahu was concerned about, and therefore he joined Avigdor Lieberman and his party.

No doubt, the social issue is the most urgent issue in the upcoming election. Unfortunately, for this issue no party has any answer. Suppose Shas joins the next government of Netanyahu, who brings a dramatic reduction proposal, which degrades severely disadvantaged population strata – will Shas disassemble the government? Of course not. It never did, and never will. After all, its special responsibility is to the movement's institutions, Talmudei Torah, with all due respect to Buzaglo from Sderot - not for him will it withdraw from the government and join the opposition and Yechimovich.

To the social sphere Kahlon could have easily penetrated, possibly also lead to real social changes. But for a change one needs a lot of courage.

And for this, it seems tonight, he didn't really have.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!