Geula Cohen laments Hanegbi's Likud departure

"It pains me when anyone says he is willing to give up a piece of Israel, more so when it is my own son."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
tzahi hanegbi 224.88 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
tzahi hanegbi 224.88
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
"It is very painful for me when anyone says he is willing to give up any piece of the land of Israel, more so when it is my own son," former right wing MK Geula Cohen and mother of Tzahi Hanegbi said on Thursday, a day after the latter announced he was quitting the Likud and joining Prime Minster Ariel Sharon's Kadima party. Hanegbi told Maariv that he did not rule out future unilateral withdrawals. "Tzahi always believed that a politician must be in the government if he wants to make a difference," Cohen told Army Radio. According to Cohen, Hanegbi did not consult with her because he did not want to "put [her] in that position". She added, "He knows I have a different ideology, I will not give up a single inch of the land of Israel." The former lawmaker noted that Hanegbi told her only a night before his decision that he was about to make up his mind. "He probably didn't want me to lose sleep over it," she said. "I always taught him," Cohen maintained, "not to stick to a framework but rather to his conscience. I told him, if you are certain about this move, then go for it." Despite Wednesday's decision by the police to recommend charging Hanegbi for alleged political appointments he made while he served as minister of the environment, Cohen said she was "amazed that he would join this corrupt chorus". She accused those who "make up stories" against Hanegbi, stories that have never been proven in court. Cohen stressed that she believed that Tzahi was the most honest politician. Asked if the allegations of corruption had brought about a personal crisis for Hanegbi, Cohen replied, "Absolutely not." "Everyone can see how he handles himself, with calm, control, certain of his innocence," Cohen said. She revealed that she did not intend to vote in the upcoming elections. "I don't have the strength to withstand another betrayal, not by any party," she concluded.