MK Eliyahu Revivo Won't Run in Likud Primaries, Citing Electoral System

MK Eliyahu Revivo announced he will not run in the upcoming Likud primaries, citing the party's slot system that makes it difficult for lawmakers elected in districts to secure a realistic spot. He stressed he is not leaving the movement and remains a Likud loyalist. The decision comes amid the party's slot controversy and a court ruling barring sitting MKs from running in districts.

MK Eliyahu Revivo announced today (Thursday) that he will not run in the upcoming Likud primaries. Revivo explained his decision: "The electoral system and the slots before us today make it very difficult for MKs to secure a realistic spot again. All the more so for us, MKs who were elected through the districts. We, who were not Norwegians, and who worked for four challenging years." He added that he could have waged a long and costly political and legal battle for his personal place, but chose not to. His decision comes after months in which he led a statesmanlike and firm line within the movement, including in the struggle against MK Tali Gottlieb over the question of Likud's character. Revivo made clear he is not leaving the party: "Politics was never a purpose for me, but a tool for mission. I am ending my path in the Knesset, but I am not leaving home. I remain a Likud man, loyal to the national path and the Betar values on which I was raised." The move comes amid internal turmoil in Likud: on Tuesday, the Likud secretariat approved the slots for Gideon Sa'ar and Israel Katz, and last night for Haim Katz, who is accused of "blackmailing Netanyahu." The court ruling barring sitting MKs from running in districts tightens the list and forces dozens of ministers and MKs to compete for few realistic spots.