The list of candidates for the Likud Knesset list continues to grow, as the date for the primaries election that will determine the list has been set for December 8.  Kadima will choose its candidates nine days later, and Labor has not yet determined its date.

The latest to announce his joining the Likud fray was Michael Ratzon, who served in the Knesset as a Likud MK in the 16th Knesset.  He was among the group known as the “Likud rebels,” which rebelled against Likud leader and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.  Some called them the “Likud loyalists,” for remaining loyal to the Likud platform opposing the giveaway of any part of the Land of Israel.

Ratzon paid a heavy political price for remaining loyal to his ideals. Sharon fired him from his position as Deputy Trade and Industry Minister, and he was not re-elected as a Knesset Member in the 2006 elections.  Ratzon was chosen to the 20th spot on the list of Knesset candidates, but was pushed down by some 20 other candidates representing various sectors with pre-reserved slots.

Former Defense Minister and Foreign Minister Moshe Arens supports Ratzon and attended the press conference at which Ratzon announced his entry into the Likud race. 

Other former MKs who are running for slots on the Likud Knesset list are Ehud Yatom, Leah Ness, Gila Gamliel, and possibly Ayoub Kara. 

'Some are Motivated by Polls'

Others who have recently joined the Likud from other parties or from outside politics include MK Effie Eitam, former Science Minister Benny Begin, former Police Chief Assaf Chefetz, former Justice Minister Dan Meridor, ex-IDF Spokesperson Miri Regev, and former IDF Gen. Uzi Dayan.  Ratzon said he welcomes the new faces, adding that some of them are most likely motivated by the polls showing a strong victory for the Likud.

In addition, newcomers to the public arena who are running for a spot in the Likud include Yechiel Leiter, Attorney Yossi Fuchs and Danny Seaman.

Leiter, Fuchs, and Seaman

Leiter, 48, is a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, has written three books on Israel and Jewish thought, and is studying for his doctorate in political philosophy at Haifa University.  He has served as aide to then-MK Ariel Sharon, Deputy Director of the Education Ministry, and Chief of Staff of then-Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.  He and his wife live in the Shomron community of Eli with their eight children.

Attorney Yossi Fuchs, a head of the Legal Form for the Land of Israel, has been active for nearly five years in helping the residents of Gush Katif and northern Shomron obtain the benefits they deserve.  An expert in constitutional and administrative law, he heads the “Home in Yesha” movement.  Living with his wife and four children in the Gush Etzion town in N’vei Daniel, he is seeking the “Judea and Samaria” slot on the Likud list. 

Danny Seaman left his position as director of the Israel Government Press Office (GPO) in order to run for office.  Considered an expert on the international press coverage of the Arab-Israeli conflict, he also served as the Foreign Press Liaison for the IDF Spokesperson's unit as an officer. He resides in Jerusalem with his wife and three children.

In addition, the youth wing of the Likud Party is demanding more recognition.  In an open letter to the party leaders, the group states that some of the Likud’s top leaders today – including Netanyahu himself, as well as Limor Livnat, Gideon Saar, and others - sprouted as members of the Likud’s youth wing.  “In the Labor Party, Peres and Rabin blocked the younger members from entering, and we see that party’s poor situation today… If Mr. Netanyahu thinks that we’re good only for hanging posters and giving out campaign literature, he is making a sad mistake – and we will not sit by quietly.”