Likud Minister Yoav Gallant accused yesterday left-wing figures in Israel of being ideological descendants of Soviet leaders, charging they believe any means were acceptable toward replacing Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister."Whoever suckled, like the Israeli left, the legacy of [Joseph] Stalin and [Vladimir] Lenin understands well that for them the ends always justify the means," Gallant, who heads the Immigration Ministry, said at a cultural event in the central town of Modiin.
Scholars estimate that more than 1 million people were executed in Communist leader Stalin's political purges and millions more died in the vast prison camp system or as a result of starvation.
Gallant did not single out any specific party but his comment was strongly rejected by Meir Cohen, a member of the Benny Gantz-led Blue and White party, which has emerged as the main electoral threat to Netanyahu's Likud and whose leaders have regularly been branded "leftists" by the premier."[This is] another example of the insane incitement and the wicked campaign by Likud. A minister in Israel compares his political opponents to Stalin, who led a regime of terror against all his opponents, including the use of torture and murder," MK Meir Cohen said in a statement."Apparently the pressure on Likud really is skyrocketing. Apologize immediately Yoav," Cohen added, apparently referring to Netanyahu's warning Friday that Likud could lose to Blue and White by 4-5 seats.
Former IDF general Gallant has previously been highly critical of Gantz, who was chosen as military chief after his own nomination was scuttled over allegations he appropriated public land adjacent to his home.
He was later partially cleared over the allegations and entered politics in 2015 as a member of the Kulanu party, before jumping ship to Likud in January.
Gallant's remarks come just days before the national elections on April 9, with parties ramping up their campaigns in a final push to win votes.
The election campaign has largely been characterized by mudslinging and the trading of harsh accusations between political rivals, with Likud running videos questioning the former military chief Gantz's sanity and calling him a "weak leftist."
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Photos: Minister and former IDF general Galant; Lenin and Stalin
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