Haim Katz endorses Netanyahu opposition forward of Likud primary vote

The bid by Likud MK and Netanyahu opposition Gideon Sa’ar to wring control of a celebration from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu gained movement Sunday, concealment a initial publicity from a comparison celebration member.

MK Haim Katz, who served as Welfare and Labor Minister until resigning this Aug after being indicted on rascal charges, signaled Sunday that he would behind Sa’ar in a Likud care race, set for Dec 26th.

Katz, who has served in a Knesset for a past 20 years, is a initial maestro Likud lawmaker to publicly behind Sa’ar over Netanyahu.

Previously, usually dual MKs had permitted Sa’ar’s bid opposite Netanyahu: MK Yoav Kish, who has served in a Knesset given 2015, and Michal Shir, a beginner MK in her initial year in a Knesset.

Katz is approaching to take partial in a debate eventuality for Sa’ar Monday.

A fourth Mk, Eti Atiya, who initial entered a Knesset this April, also announced Sunday that she is endorsing Sa’ar for celebration chairman. Atiya formerly served as business arch for Haim Katz.

Two other comparison Likud lawmakers are also reportedly deliberation endorsing Sa’ar: Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, and Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan.

Netanyahu, who has served as primary apportion given 2009, along with a another reign as premier from 1996 to 1999, became Israel’s longest-serving primary apportion in July, commanding David Ben-Gurion’s record of 13 years and 127 days.

Netanyahu has also led a Likud as celebration authority for dual decades, with a six-year army from 1993 to 1999, and his stream tenure, from 2005 to a present.