Associates of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu are reportedly preparing to launch an effort immediately following the Likud primaries to remove Chareidi party members who do not actually support or vote for Likud, amid growing concern over organized voting blocs influencing the party’s internal elections.
According to a report by Daniel Grovais on Kan 11, the planned “Likud cleanup” would seek to identify groups of registered party members who have expressed support for other political parties. The effort could also include invalidating entire organized membership drives.
The move is reportedly taking shape following cooperation between Chareidi Likud membership organizers and MK David Bitan involving voting “deals” in the party primaries. Netanyahu had until now reportedly allowed the practice to continue without publicly intervening.
At the same time, several prominent Likud ministers and MKs appeared on voting lists circulated by major Chareidi organizers who direct their members on how to vote and operate transportation networks bringing voters to polling stations.
Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen, for example, appeared on a list associated with the Gerer chassidus, reportedly because of his support for facilitating travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah.
Knesset Finance Committee Chairman Hanoch Milwidsky was included on lists distributed by several organizers, reportedly due to his work on the committee and his public support for the Chareidi community.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin also appeared on several recommended voting lists, reflecting Chareidi support for his judicial reform agenda and his campaign against Israel’s current judicial system.
{Matzav.com}
