Yesh Atid announces primaries in December

OCTOBER 2, 2023 15:45

Updated: OCTOBER 2, 2023 19:49

Head of the Yesh Atid party MK Yair Lapid speaks during a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 19, 2023. (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) — Head of the Yesh Atid party MK Yair Lapid speaks during a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 19, 2023.

(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Ben Barak, who was the former head of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, stated that he welcomed Lapid's decision to hold elections for the party chairman.

The Yesh Atid party announced on Monday that this December, primaries for the party will be held for the first time in the 11 years since it was founded by Yair Lapid.

In the party's announcement, it was stated that a Yesh Atid conference will be held where the primaries for the leadership of the party will be held.

The criteria required for submitting nominations according to the party rules are members who have been part of Yesh Atid for at least three consecutive years, who have not been convicted of a scandalous offense, and have not been prosecuted for an offense, Walla reported.

Lapid also spoke on Monday to members of his party about the primaries, stating that "We made Yesh Atid democratic today because it is a necessary step in our maturation as a political party."

Lapid will be challenged by MK Ram Ben Barak

Only MK Ram Ben Barak said that he intends to face Lapid, the report said.

There are about 750 members at the Yesh Atid conference, including activists, MKs, and the heads of the party.

MK RAM Ben Barak was one of only three Yesh Atid MKs voting against a bill criminalizing the raising of the Palestinian flag in a group of more than three people and making it punishable by imprisonment. (credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)

Ben Barak, who was the former head of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, stated that he welcomed Lapid's decision to hold elections for the party chairman.

"As I previously stated, I informed the party's election committee this evening that I intend to submit my candidacy for the position," he said. "According to the election regulations, it is necessary to obtain 75 signatures from among the members of the conference, and I intend to do so."