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Netanyahu fears staunchly rightist Knesset list
Bibi backs some primaries candidates, fearing that staunch rightists on Knesset list would hurt Likud
Amnon Meranda
Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu has been investing efforts in recent days in backing four primaries candidate for fear they would not win realistic spots on the party's Knesset list.
Netanyahu fears the prospect of a Likud Knesset list that would be deemed "too rightist" should the great popularity enjoyed by Benny Begin and former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe (Bogie) Yaalon, among others, be translated into strong showing in the upcoming primaries, scheduled for Monday.
Netanyahu is apparently concerned that a strong showing by staunch rightists in the primaries would enable his rivals to slam the party, and distance centrist voters.
The Likud leader's close associates said that the four candidates backed by Netanyahu are Knesset Members Haim Katz and Yuli Edelstein, as well as former MK Leah Ness and candidate Yechiel Leiter. Bibi is also expected to back the "new stars" he brought into Likud, including Dan Meridor, Assaf Hefetz, and Uzi Dayan, in order to boost their primaries chances.
Netanyahu is said to be particularly concerned that candidates affiliated with Moshe Feiglin will do well in the primaries, and is therefore backing their rivals. Last week, the Likud chairman reached a compromise with senior party officials on increasing the number of primaries selections that can be made by each voter from 10 to 12, in a move believed to be aimed at thwarting Feiglin associates.
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