Fateful Likud primary elections begin as Netanyahu vows not to 'intervene'
Over 140,000 registered members of the Likud party start voting in the party's primary elections at 9 p.m., in primaries that were highly competitive and are expected to have significant influence over the party's performance in the upcoming elections.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted an intense struggle to exert as much of an influence as possible over the slate, reportedly to counter the expected election results which, he fears, could elevate controversial figures and harm the party's overall chances.
"I will vote tomorrow in the Likud primaries for a winning slate that will ensure that Eisenkot and Yair Golan do not form a narrow government with the Arab parties, as they have pledged to do," Netanyahu said Sunday evening.
"I trust you, Likud members, to choose your representatives wisely, according to your own judgment.
I am not intervening in the selection of the national slate, and I wish everyone success!"
