Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., November 27, 2008 Cheshvan 29, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:34 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

Ballot Box By Nadav Shragai , Ofri Ilani , Mazal Mualem Following protests by Likud members, chairman Benjamin Netanyahu decided to abandon plans to increase the number of candidates each voter could choose in the upcoming primary election. Netanyahu had planned to allow party members to choose 15 candidates, instead of the current 10 specified in the party's constitution. His associates said the increase was meant to counter bloc-voting deals and sideline the Jewish Leadership camp within Likud, led by Moshe Feiglin. Likud's constitutional committee determined not to change the current balloting format, while permitting Netanyahu to decide how new immigrants will be represented in Likud's list of primary candidates. Netanyahu is rumored to favor separate lists for immigrant candidates. Student leaders intend to form a new national party to advance the goals of students and young Israelis. The party, which is to be named "Tzabar," will be headed by Tel Aviv University Student Union Chairman Boaz Toporovsky, who has teamed up with National Student Association leader Netanel Izak. The party's platform will focus on "promoting young leadership and education." Additionally, the party plans to campaign to reduce tuition and encourage reserve duty. Environmentalism will also rank high on the party's code, along with supporting young artists. Advertisement The new rightist party will fall apart if it fails to hold a primary election to choose its leader, MK Zvi Hendel told Haaretz yesterday. Hendel said that Habayit Hayehudi (Jewish Home), which was formed two weeks ago in a merger between NRP, Tekuma, Moledet and part of Achi, will fail over "certain parties who are denying the existence of an explicit agreement for holding a primary election to determine who will lead the party." If the party holds a primary, its top leadership candidates are thought to be Hendel and Yitzhak Levi - both of whom are demanding the move - as well as Zevulun Orlev and Nissan Slomiansky. Sources say a possible solution could be a fifth person approved by all potential candidates. Former Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball star Tal Brody, 65, declared his candidacy for the Likud primary election at a press conference with party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv yesterday. Brody will become the fourth former U.S. resident to enter the race, joining Netanyahu's former chief of staff Yechiel Leiter, Government Press Office director Danny Seaman and Legal Forum for the Land of Israel co-chairman Yossi Fuchs. Meanwhile, comedian Sefi Rivlin also announced his entry into the primary fray, along with MK Ze'ev Elkin of Kadima. (Mazal Mualem) Bookmark to del.icio.us   Who's missing? Haredi parties absent from Jerusalem coalition for first time in decades. 'Kavosh 2' Amid nuclear tensions, Iran says it successfully launched rocket.

Read & React Documents reveal IDF killed wanted Palestinians against court guidelines Responses: 178 Israel asks Bush to explain its 'special relationship' with U.S. to Obama Responses: 115 Settler teens rampage through Palestinian neighborhood in Hebron Responses: 126 Aluf Benn: Obama's challenge will be to persuade Netanyahu to advance peace Responses: 57 Judea Pearl: Israel and Palestinians should apologize to each other Responses: 52 More Headlines 01:11 At least 80 people dead, hostages taken in multiple Mumbai attacks 23:55 AG seeks to indict Olmert over double-billing affair 22:07 Pines-Paz: It's a tragic day for Israel when a PM is indicted 23:44 Barak: We will evacuate settlers from Hebron house, by force if necessary 18:30 Lebanon asks Iran to supply its army with midsize weapons 23:40 UN watchdog clears Syria bid for atomic aid, despite world doubts 01:30 Who stole Hitler's golden bookmark? 17:27 Holocaust survivor to meet her Polish savior after 60 years 19:25 Haredi parties absent from Jerusalem coalition for first time in decades 18:29 Amid nuclear tensions, Iran says it successfully launched rocket 21:46 Borat's brother - a.k.a. Erran Baron Cohen - releases Hanukkah CD 18:28 Livni urges Thailand to commute Israeli drug smugglers' death sentence 18:28 Hamas, Fatah women brawl in Gaza as factional tempers flare 18:19 Short on fuel, Gazans use car batteries to restart power plant 13:31 Ban: Israel, Lebanon must 'seize the moment' and make peace 18:22 Settler rabbi: Peace Now chief should be jailed for treason Previous Editions Select Day 26 nov 25 nov 24 nov 23 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov

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