A day before Likud’s primary election, the “My Likud” faction—led by Samaria Governor Yossi Dagan, Yoni HaYisraeli, and Yaakov Weinberger—released its recommended candidate list for the group’s more than 8,000 registered members.
2+In a message sent to members, the faction’s leaders highlighted its track record over the years: “Thanks to our strength as a group, as one fist, we’ve already proven we can change reality. We’ve blocked dangerous initiatives, brought about the bypass roads revolution in Judea and Samaria, pushed to break construction freezes, established new communities, and repealed the Disengagement Law.”
According to them, the primary’s goal is “to ensure the next Knesset has a strong, ideological team that will faithfully represent us and fight for our central shared objectives: a surge in new communities in the Land of Israel and applying sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.”
2+The group says its recommended list wasn’t based on candidates’ campaigns, but on their activity throughout the current term. Criteria examined included: loyalty to the group’s positions on Land of Israel issues, standing together in struggles at critical junctures, and practical partnership on the ground.
Because of the number of Knesset members who the group says advanced its goals, it decided to divide recommendations into two tiers. Receiving “highest support”: Amir Ohana, Ze’ev Elkin, Boaz Bismuth, Amit Halevi, Miki Zohar, Yariv Levin, Idit Silman, Eti Atia, Yoav Kisch, Ariel Kellner, Miri Regev, Keti Shitrit, and Amichai Chikli. Four additional candidates received “significant support”: Eli Cohen, Gila Gamliel, Hanoch Milwidsky, and Shlomo Karhi.
2+Still, the 8,000 members won’t all receive identical voting lists. “My Likud” prepared several different lists designed to distribute voting power among the recommended candidates. Each group member is expected to receive a personalized list from headquarters or the phone center with 12 names they’re asked to vote for.
The faction’s leaders urged members to stick to their personalized list: “Please vote exactly according to the list you received—that’s what gives us our strength!” Dagan said ahead of the vote: “We’re choosing a team that will fight for the Land of Israel and bring sovereignty.”