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Netanyahu Supporters Head Likud List

The top spots in the Likud list for the Knesset elections are occupied by supporters of Former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, including Tzachi Hanegbi, Limor Livnat, and Silvan Shalom. Some of the candidates favored by Sharon, such as Ehud Olmert, Shaul Mofaz, and Ruby Rivlin, appear further down the list although in safe positions. Netanyahu himself occupies the second spot on the list as a result of an agreement between Sharon and Netanyahu prior to their contest for the party leadership.

The success of the Netanyahu candidates reflects the influence that the former Prime Minister wields within the Likud central committee. It does not, however, reflect on the balance of popularity among the rank and file Likud voters, or the electorate in general. Unlike the Labor Party, the Likud list was decided by the central committee, and not by a popular primary vote among Likud members. In the Likud primary for party leader, Prime Minister Sharon defeated Netanyahu soundly by 16 percentage points.