Channel 12's Daphna Lial reports that at the Likud committee, members were updated that Prime Minister Netanyahu is backing Eli Hazan — recently appointed GPO director — for the Keren Hayesod leadership, shifting from Deputy Minister Ophir Akunis. Akunis's associates claim Netanyahu himself originally offered Akunis the post, and that Likud figures aligned with the opposition to torpedo the appointment. Akunis is demanding the voting process continue.
Channel 12 political correspondent Daphna Lial reports that the Likud committee was updated Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shifted his support from Deputy Minister Ophir Akunis to Eli Hazan — recently appointed director of the Government Press Office — for the leadership of Keren Hayesod, the Jewish national fundraising body.
This development comes just minutes after an earlier bulletin reported that the committee had been informed of the PM's switch. Akunis's associates are pushing back, asserting that Netanyahu himself originally offered Akunis the post and that Likud figures have teamed up with opposition parties to thwart the appointment. Akunis is demanding the voting process already underway be allowed to continue.
The internal Likud battle over the Keren Hayesod leadership remains unresolved, with the committee now effectively split over whose candidate should prevail.
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Source and signal
- Internal intake