Voters reject Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai and Public Security Minister Omer Barlev
The primaries for Israel’s center-left Labor Party closed on Tuesday at 7 p.m., with surprising results.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai and Public Security Minister Omer Barlev suffered heavy blows. Barlev was pushed to a place that will probably be unrealistic in the upcoming elections, as Shai was completely eliminated.
MK Naama Lazimi earned the second spot on the list – under party chairman Merav Michaeli – followed by Gilad Kariv, Efrat Rayten, Ram Shefa, Emilie Moatti, Yaya Fink, Ibtisam Mara’ana, Barlev, and Mehereta Baruch-Ron in the top 10 spots.
Some 57 percent of the approximately 40,000 eligible voters cast their ballots. Most were cast via smartphone, but four physical booths were opened in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Be’er Sheva.
Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli sent an email as voting began with the subject “My Recommendations.”
“Friends, in the primary election a year-and-a-half ago, you chose the best team in the Knesset (Israel’s parliament). Period. A list that, together with me, promoted our values in every ministry, committee, and vote,” Michaeli wrote.
“We have a unified and close-knit faction that assisted me in stopping the party tradition of back-stabbing and inner fighting, which led to great party achievements while maintaining responsible and stable conduct in the Change Government!”
“My recommendations for today include 33 candidates who choose to view the Labor Party as their home, and chose to run for political office in the longest and most democratic process,” Michaeli continued.
Several of the party’s current lawmakers were expected to hold onto Labor’s top slots, including Gilad Kariv, Emilie Moatti, Ram Shefa, and Efrat Reitan. Ministers Omer Barlev and Nachman Shai were expected to place well but might not make it into the Knesset.
The center-left party is polling between five and six seats for the November 1 election.