For the first time, Netanyahu reportedly takes a stance in Likud primaries

Ohana is a former Shin Bet official and the first gay right-wing member of Knesset. In January, Ohana was polled as the most popular freshman MK according to some 19,000 Likud members.

By YVETTE J. DEANE
Updated: JANUARY 15, 2019 08:51
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a weekly cabinet meeting, December 23rd, 2018 (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a weekly cabinet meeting, December 23rd, 2018
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
For the first time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has published a list of his picks for the Likud primaries, according to Ynet.
 
Netanyahu put David Amsalem and Amir Ohana as the top two names on the list, according to the report.
Amsalem served as the chairman of the Internal Affairs and Environment Committee.
Ohana is a former Shin Bet official and the first gay right-wing member of Knesset. In January, Ohana was polled as the most popular freshman MK according to some 19,000 Likud members.
The report also said Netanyahu is focusing on blocking former minister and member of the security cabinet Gideon Sa'ar from the getting a Likud seat in the Knesset.
The Likud later denied Netanyahu was set to send out list of recommended candidates, the party said in a statement. It is common for Likud ministers and activists to send lists of recommended candidates to party members. Other Likud candidates often negotiate and make deals to get on influential lists.
When asked about the tension between Sa'ar and Netanyahu, Sa'ar responded, “I am a candidate for the list for the 21st Knesset.”
“Relationships between MKs are totally marginal,” Sa’ar said. “We are fighting about the way [to lead this country], and we are far less important than that way. We are all temporary. We have to ensure, for our children and grandchildren, that they will have the best conditions for the future.” 

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Lahav Harkov contributed to this report.