Senior Labor party officials are preparing for the eventuality of a poor election result, with some already speaking of replacing party leader Amram Mitzna if Labor receives less than sixteen mandates. Current public opinion surveys are showing the party earning only eighteen seats. Despite several major strategy changes during the campaign, Mitzna continues to drop in the polls and support among party leaders continues to wane.
Arutz-7 has learned that Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor has taken a leave of absence to campaign on behalf of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. According to a senior member of the Sharon campaign, the Jewish Agency chairman is working full-time to assist in Sharon's reelection bid. It was also learned that Mr. Sharon wanted Meridor to enlist the support of new immigrants, capitalizing on his position with the Jewish Agency, but Meridor declined. He feared it would place him in a compromising position if his campaigning was misconstrued as instructing new immigrants to vote for Sharon.
Knesset member Rabbi Avraham Ravitz, of United Torah Judaism, has requested special permission to vote early, explaining that he must fly abroad for a medical procedure. Ravitz made the request to Central Election Committee Chairman Justice Mishael Cheshin. Ravitz, who in the past was a recipient of a kidney transplant, has been hospitalized for the past two weeks and, on Sunday, is being flown to Switzerland for an urgent medical procedure.
Security and administrative personnel in the President's official residence are preparing for Tuesday, Election Day. Following the general elections, President Moshe Katsav will meet with party leaders and the President's Office will host an array of journalists. Security around the president is to be tightened accordingly. After the upcoming elections for the 16th Knesset, the president is tasked with appointing the head of an elected party to form a national government. To that end, he meets with the leaders of all Knesset factions, in order to consult with them regarding his choice. In general, the head of the largest party is so appointed.
Arutz-7 has learned that Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor has taken a leave of absence to campaign on behalf of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. According to a senior member of the Sharon campaign, the Jewish Agency chairman is working full-time to assist in Sharon's reelection bid. It was also learned that Mr. Sharon wanted Meridor to enlist the support of new immigrants, capitalizing on his position with the Jewish Agency, but Meridor declined. He feared it would place him in a compromising position if his campaigning was misconstrued as instructing new immigrants to vote for Sharon.
Knesset member Rabbi Avraham Ravitz, of United Torah Judaism, has requested special permission to vote early, explaining that he must fly abroad for a medical procedure. Ravitz made the request to Central Election Committee Chairman Justice Mishael Cheshin. Ravitz, who in the past was a recipient of a kidney transplant, has been hospitalized for the past two weeks and, on Sunday, is being flown to Switzerland for an urgent medical procedure.
Security and administrative personnel in the President's official residence are preparing for Tuesday, Election Day. Following the general elections, President Moshe Katsav will meet with party leaders and the President's Office will host an array of journalists. Security around the president is to be tightened accordingly. After the upcoming elections for the 16th Knesset, the president is tasked with appointing the head of an elected party to form a national government. To that end, he meets with the leaders of all Knesset factions, in order to consult with them regarding his choice. In general, the head of the largest party is so appointed.