It appears public pressure has had an impact as Bayit Yehudi’s number 11 on the list, retired soccer player Eli Ochana, will not be running. Ochana was the personal selection of party leader Naftali Bennett. The appointment of the former soccer player, non-religious candidate led to an outcry among party supporters.

Ochana told the public that he informed party leader Bennett on Wednesday evening 8 Shevat that he does not plan to run, instructing him to remove him from the list.

“I did not anticipate the public outcry around my entering politics and at this stage of my life, I am not built for this” he added.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)