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Netanyahu Promises Deputy Minister Post to Rabbi Abirgel for Election Withdrawal
The Achi party announced its withdrawal from the Knesset election race on Friday, October 23, 2026, just four days before the vote. The decision followed intensive negotiations aimed at consolidating the right-wing bloc and preventing the loss of tens of thousands of votes to a potential left-wing government. The party, which was unlikely to pass the electoral threshold, is led by Yuval Elimelech according to NEWSru Israel, and is backed by Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Abirjel, who Ynetnews and NEWSru Israel reported is under investigation for suspected sexual offenses.
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What happened
- 01The Achi party withdrew from the Knesset election race on Friday, October 23, 2026, four days before the vote.
- 02The withdrawal followed negotiations led by Education Minister Yoav Kisch and attorney Lior Katzav at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- 03The decision aims to prevent the loss of tens of thousands of right-wing votes, as the Achi party was unlikely to pass the electoral threshold.
- 04The party is backed by Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Abirjel, who according to Ynetnews and NEWSru Israel is suspected of sexual offenses.
- 05The negotiations in Netivot included former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, local mayors, and Almog Cohen, with Netanyahu participating via Zoom.
- 06The Likud party committed to advancing Achi's key issues, including the conscription law, social welfare programs, and Jewish education.
- 07The Achi party will transfer its support to the Likud party, though Behadrei Haredim reported this will occur without a public endorsement.
The final agreement was reached during a meeting in Netivot on Friday. The negotiations, initiated at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were led by Education Minister Yoav Kisch and Netanyahu's representative, attorney Lior Katzav. The meeting was attended by Rabbi Abirjel, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, Netivot Mayor Yechiel Zohar, Ofakim Mayor Itzik Danino, and Almog Cohen, who had also met with the rabbi the previous evening. Netanyahu himself joined the negotiations via a Zoom call.
Under the agreement, the Achi party will transfer its support to the Likud party. In exchange, the Prime Minister's office and the Likud committed to advancing key issues raised by the movement. These include the conscription law, aid for disadvantaged populations, early childhood care, support for seniors, and strengthening Jewish education and identity.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 6 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: Mako. Read Mako’s original
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Netanyahu Promises Deputy Minister Post to Rabbi Abirgel for Election Withdrawal
