Achi Party Withdraws from Knesset Race Ahead of Elections

The Achi party, founded by followers of the late Rabbi Yoram Abergel, announced on Friday its withdrawal from the upcoming Knesset elections, just four days before the vote. The decision followed negotiations led by Education Minister Yoav Kisch at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A crucial meeting on Friday, attended by Minister Kisch, Rabbi Abergel, former Chief Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Moshe Amar, Netivot Mayor Yechiel Zohar, Ofakim Mayor Itzik Danino, and attorney Lior Ketzab, resulted in an agreement for the party's withdrawal. It was also agreed that the Likud party would advance the key issues raised by Achi.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's office, this move is seen as preventing the "waste of tens of thousands of right-wing votes" that could have aided the formation of a left-wing government led by figures like Yair Golan. The Achi party, established in January by thousands of Rabbi Abergel's students, had intended to compete for traditional and religious votes, primarily against the Shas party.

The Likud party welcomed the decision, emphasizing the "critical moment" for Israel's existence and the need to consolidate right-wing votes. They stated that an agreement was reached to appoint a deputy minister within the Prime Minister's office to promote shared principles, either from Likud Knesset members or from the Achi party, in accordance with the law. The Likud urged other parties to follow Achi's example and called on right-wing voters to cast their ballots for Likud to ensure a right-wing victory.