Party Withdraws From Election Race After Netanyahu's Promise

Four days before the election, the Achi party, led by Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Abirjel, who is suspected of sexual offenses, announced its withdrawal from the race on Friday. This decision followed pressure from the Likud party and promises from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appoint a deputy minister in the next government. Rabbi Abirjel has transferred his support to Likud. News 13 learned that Netanyahu spoke directly with the rabbi to encourage his withdrawal, though Likud did not comment on this specific interaction. The Likud party issued a statement welcoming Rabbi Abirjel and the Achi movement's "important act" of withdrawing from the election. The statement emphasized the critical juncture Israel faces, warning against wasting votes on parties that might not pass the electoral threshold and could lead to a "left-wing government of [Gabi] Ashkenazi, Yair Golan, and the Muslim Brotherhood." Likud asserted that only Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump could counter the existential threat from Iran. The party further stated that an agreement was reached with Achi for a deputy minister position, either from Likud members promoting shared principles or from Achi itself, in accordance with the law. Likud urged other parties to follow Achi's example and called on all right-wing voters to cast their ballots for Likud to ensure a right-wing victory.