Despite rift with Netanyahu: Netivot mayor helped Achi's withdrawal from elections

Netivot Mayor Yehiel Zohar assisted in the negotiations that led to the withdrawal of the Achi movement from the Knesset race, despite his conflict with Netanyahu over the city's borders. Zohar pressured movement members and called on residents to vote for Likud.

Netivot Mayor Yehiel Zohar played a central role in the negotiations that led to the withdrawal of the Achi movement from the Knesset race, despite the tension between him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Zohar exerted pressure on movement members close to him to prevent a split in the right-wing vote, and at a meeting held yesterday (Saturday) he called on residents to vote for Likud. The move was backed by polls indicating that Achi does not pass the electoral threshold. Former Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar helped advance the agreements between Achi and Likud. The conflict between Zohar and Netanyahu emerged in recent months over a delay in signing a change to Netivot's borders, leading to the cancellation of a visit by Netanyahu to the city. Despite the dispute, Zohar mobilized for the political effort of Likud.