A string of high-profile Israelis who take a tough approach to the Arab world are streaming into Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party, adding star power and an even more hawkish edge to a faction well placed to win
February elections, the Associated Press reported.
Likud said Monday that the additions to its ranks include the squeaky clean son of former Prime Minister Menachem Begin, an outspoken former general and a one-time military spokeswoman.
They add heft to a party that ruled Israel for the better part of three decades but was stripped of most of its stars after former Israeli leader Ariel Sharon bolted Likud in November 2005 to form the centrist Kadima, taking many of Likud's top figures with him.
Netanyahu's spokeswoman, Dina Libster, said the new additions were not part of any recruitment strategy.