The Ahi Party, led by Rabbi Haim Yosef David Abargel, announced its withdrawal from the Knesset race. The decision followed a meeting between the party leader and former Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, municipal heads, MK Almog Cohen, Minister Yoav Kish, and attorney Lior Katzav, who arrived on behalf of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convince him to withdraw and avoid wasting votes on the right. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Rabbi Abargel, who is suspected of sex offenses, a position as deputy minister in exchange for his withdrawal and told him: 'The understanding between us is that those who study will study and everyone else will enlist.'