A Likud spokesman said on Wednesday that Netanyahu will decide after the meetings whether to endorse one of the candidates or remain neutral. Likud MKs were told two weeks ago that there would not be faction discipline, but Netanyahu can change that decision following his meetings with Peretz on Sunday and Herzog on Monday.
Voting for president is conducted by secret ballot among the 120 MKs, so the votes of Likud MKs would not be known to the prime minister.
Netanyahu has been under pressure from Likud activists to endorse Peretz, who is right-wing. The effort to persuade Netanyahu has been led by Benny Kashriel, who is mayor of Ma’ale Adumim, where Peretz resides.
A video smearing Herzog circulated on Wednesday. It noted that Herzog remained silent in the investigation of non-profit organizations that helped fund Ehud Barak’s campaign for prime minister in 1999. It also portrayed him as sympathetic to Reform Judaism.
In a blow to Herzog, Likud MK Keti Sheetrit, switched her allegiance from Herzog to Peretz.
Sheetrit said she endorsed Herzog and signed the document enabling his candidacy before she knew that Peretz would run and then Peretz persuaded her to back her.
In the last race for president seven years ago, Netanyahu officially endorsed Likud candidate Reuven Rivlin but then did everything possible to defeat him.