Likud Minister Dudi Amsalem received an unexpected boost in the middle of the party’s primary election after radio host Menachem Toker informed him that he had finished first in a WhatsApp poll of the program’s followers regarding which Likud figure is most closely associated with supporting tradition, Judaism, Torah and the Chareidi community.
Toker spoke with Amsalem during his “Zman Avir” program on Kol Chai as Likud members were casting their ballots in the party primaries. The poll asked listeners and followers which Likud politician they believed showed the greatest concern for Jewish tradition, religious issues, Torah and Chareidim.
Toker broke the results to Amsalem on air, telling him that he had won by a wide margin.
“Our listeners and followers love you. We asked who cares about tradition, Judaism, religion, Torah, the Chareidim. On the values and social issues, they liked you. First place by a wide margin,” Toker said.
Amsalem welcomed the news, saying the result was particularly meaningful to him.
“First of all, I’m proud of it. It really gives me nachas. That’s the most important thing to me,” Amsalem replied.
Toker then asked the minister how he believed he would fare in the actual Likud primaries and whether he expected to secure a high position on the party’s Knesset slate.
Amsalem said he was not spending his time calculating his prospects or attempting to predict the final results.
“I have no idea, Menachem, and I don’t deal with it either, honestly. I do my part,” he said.
Amsalem then explained his approach in terms of emunah, saying that the ultimate result had already been determined long before primary day.
“On Rosh Hashanah, even before that, my position was already determined. I’m just doing the hishtadlus,” he said.
Toker reacted enthusiastically to the comment.
“What a man of faith. That’s a man of faith, a real one,” Toker said.
“Everything is for the good,” Amsalem responded.
Asked for his number on the Likud primary ballot, Amsalem said he was listed as candidate 103. Toker noted that Amsalem had finished fifth in the previous Likud primaries and said he hoped the minister would climb even higher this time.
Toward the end of the interview, Toker openly endorsed Amsalem and urged eligible Likud members listening to the program to cast their votes for him.
“I call on everyone who has [the right to vote] and can vote, choose 103, Dudi Amsalem. Such a man of faith, a person who really is like this, a public servant, should be advanced,” Toker said.
“Thank you very much, Menachem,” Amsalem replied.
After the conversation ended, Toker continued discussing the Likud primaries and mentioned several other party figures whom he admires. Among them was Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi.
“I very, very much appreciate what he’s doing here. For example, Kol Chai, the fact that we can be heard in the north, that’s him,” Toker said.
The program then shifted back to the regular musical atmosphere of “Zman Avir,” featuring songs reflecting themes of emunah and the month of Elul.
{Matzav.com}
