Ahi Party Withdrawal and Political Agreement Ahead of the Elections

In depth

The Ahi party, led by Rabbi Haim Yosef David Abergil, announced it is withdrawing from the Knesset race. According to Likud, Netanyahu promised that a deputy minister would be appointed in the Prime Minister's Office on behalf of Ahi, or that a person "who will advance the shared principles" would be appointed. Minister Yoav Kisch, who was sent on behalf of the Prime Minister, said: "We prevented the burning of tens of thousands of votes to the right."

After the withdrawal, Yaakov Fink of the Democrats filed a police complaint alleging a promise of a deputy minister post to Rabbi Abergil in exchange for removing his candidacy, according to Israel Hayom. Fink attacked: "A liquidation sale of the public it serves." Earlier, contacts were reported that included the possibility of support for Ofer Winter, according to Maariv.

After the withdrawal, Rabbi Abergil announced support for Otzma Yehudit. According to Kikar HaShabbat, he called on his supporters to vote for list B and said of Minister Itamar Ben Gvir: "God-fearing, respects Torah scholars." According to Channel 14, he called to vote for list B: "It is a commandment upon all of us."