Under PM's pressure, Begin to run in Likud primaries

Minister announces he is to contend in upcoming primaries despite reports he is mulling retirement

Yuval Karni|Published: 10.22.12 , 20:06

Despite considering quitting politics over the past few days, Minister Benny Begin informed Prime Miniter Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday of his intention to run in the upcoming Likud primaries.

Begin was said to be under great pressure from Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin to run for another term. He met with the prime minister on Monday and eventually relented, despite his desire to retire.

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Likud officials said Netanyahu promised Begin he would assist him in the primaries and include him in the his "recommendations roster," a list meant to promote his own picks for the party's Knesset ticket. The roster is to be published shortly before the primary elections, which will be held on November 25.

Late Prime Minister Menachem Begin retired from politics in 1983 at the age of 70; Benny Begin, his son, had previously laid out the possibility of following in his father's footsteps. "In 2013, I'll be 70, and in January 2013 the next elections will be held. I think that would be the right time to quit," Begin told Likud officials several days ago.

When asked by a senior party official about his plans for upcoming elections campaign last Monday, Begin replied "I honestly don't know yet. I haven't made up my mind whether or not I'm running in the elections."