In Arab media, Mofaz portrayed as right-wing hawk
But papers say it doesn’t matter, since his party is in decline
Elhanan Miller is the former Arab affairs reporter for The Times of Israel
The Arab world is taking an interest in the victory of Shaul Mofaz in the Kadima primaries Tuesday, with media reports highlighting his military credentials and hawkish political positions.
“Mofaz focused his campaign this time on his image in the field of security, as well as a defender of social issues,” said a commentator on Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya. The channel noted Kadima’s rapidly declining popularity, citing polls that predict it will win only 12 seats in the upcoming elections, as opposed to the 28 it enjoys today.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah’s news channel Al-Manar focused on Mofaz’s military background, attributing his victory in the party to his supposed right-wing political positions.
“Mofaz’s supporters look to his military experience and boast his ability to allegedly ‘thwart the second Intifada,'” Al-Manar wrote on its website. “His opponents blame him for the ill-preparation of the Zionist army in the Second Lebanon War and describe him as a man who favors his personal interests over ideology.”
Al-Manar goes on to quote Palestinian sources claiming that Mofaz’s military background is the primary reason for his victory, “especially since his hands are soiled with Palestinian blood.”
According to Saudi-owned news channel Elaph, Mofaz is “a hawk who plays the security chord.”
Al-Manar opines that Mofaz will not be able to fulfill his promises, or implement policy, since Kadima is an opposition party and its popularity is receding. “What Mofaz can do is urge the Zionist government to wage a war against the Gaza Strip,” the website wrote.
The Times of Israel Community.