Likud minister Eli Cohen is accusing Israeli pollsters of consistently underestimating the political right, arguing that current surveys do not accurately reflect the strength of Likud and predicting that undecided right-wing voters will ultimately return to the party when elections are held.
Cohen made the comments in his first interview with Ynet since scoring a major victory in the Likud primaries, where he finished first by a wide margin and emerged in a significantly strengthened position within the ruling party.
“Actions beat populism and shouting,” Cohen told Ynet, arguing that Likud members rewarded his record in government rather than political rhetoric.
Cohen pointed to accomplishments from his tenures in the Foreign and Energy ministries, including securing visa-free travel to the United States for Israelis, the natural gas agreement with Egypt, maintaining Israel’s energy sector during wartime and breaking the Israel Electric Corporation’s monopoly.
Despite his strong showing in the primaries and his growing standing within Likud, Cohen declined to engage in speculation about the party’s leadership after Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.
“That question is not relevant right now,” Cohen said, stressing that Likud is united behind Netanyahu as the party prepares for the upcoming elections.
Cohen did, however, make clear which senior government position he would like to hold next: finance minister.
According to Cohen, the Finance Ministry should remain under Likud control following the election. He said the next finance minister should prioritize economic growth, reducing the cost of living, increasing employment and narrowing economic disparities, rather than concentrating primarily on the distribution of government funding.
On the contentious issue of Chareidi military service, Cohen adopted an unequivocal position.
“Our Chareidi brothers must also enlist,” Cohen said.
He argued that those for whom Toraso umnaso does not apply should participate in military service, describing increased enlistment as a security, economic and social necessity for Israel.
Cohen also addressed Israel’s confrontation with Iran, saying the country achieved substantial successes in the campaign and significantly delayed Tehran’s nuclear program.
He warned that Israel remains prepared to act again if Iran attempts to rebuild either its nuclear program or its ballistic missile capabilities.
Turning to domestic politics, Cohen challenged the accuracy of recent election polling, maintaining that Likud and the broader right-wing bloc have repeatedly been underestimated by surveys.
Cohen pointed to previous Israeli elections in which, he said, right-wing parties ultimately performed better at the ballot box than polling had suggested beforehand. He predicted that a similar pattern could emerge in the coming election, with voters from the nationalist camp who currently describe themselves as undecided eventually returning to the right when they enter the voting booth.
Cohen also addressed the October 7 massacre, saying Israel should establish a national commission of inquiry with a mandate to examine the conduct of the country’s institutions and decision-makers over a period of years.
At the same time, Cohen argued that Israel’s position in the region has changed dramatically since October 7, saying that the country has emerged as the strongest and most formidable power in the Middle East.
{Matzav.com}
