Associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are planning to move after the Likud primaries to remove Chareidi party members who are not viewed as genuine Likud supporters, Kan News reported Monday evening.

The move follows cooperation between Chareidi Likud membership organizers and MK David Bitan in arranging voting “deals” during the primaries. Netanyahu had until now remained silent about the activity, but his associates are now expected to identify groups of registered members who have expressed support for other parties, and could even seek to invalidate entire registration drives on the grounds that those involved are not genuine Likud voters.

The effort is reminiscent of previous Likud campaigns against organized groups that joined the party’s membership rolls without being considered loyal party voters.

At the same time, several ministers and MKs appeared on recommendation lists circulated by prominent Chareidi organizers, whose support can provide candidates with significant backing and organized transportation to polling stations.

Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen appeared on a Gur list due to his support regarding travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. Knesset Finance Committee Chairman Hanoch Milwidsky appeared on several Chareidi organizers’ lists because of his position on the Finance Committee and his public support for the Chareidi community.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin also appeared on several lists, with the report linking his support among Chareidi organizers to their backing for the judicial reform and his criticism of the judicial system.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)