Herzog to decide soon on advancing primary

Potential opponents for Herzog include MKs Shelly Yacimovich and Amir Peretz, Tel Aviv mayor Ron Hulda’i, and former Shin-Bet chief Yuval Diskin.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Updated: JUNE 17, 2015 01:20
Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog speaks to the press (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog speaks to the press
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog is expected to decide in the weeks ahead when to hold the next Labor leadership race.
Possibilities include holding it the latest possible date permitted by Labor’s constitution, May 2016, or as early as possible in September. The latter option could enable Herzog to catch potential opponents off guard and prevent them from conducting mass registration drives that could impact the race.
“No one knows yet when the primary will be but all necessary democratic processes will take place,” a source close to Herzog said Tuesday night.
Potential opponents for Herzog include MKs Shelly Yacimovich and Amir Peretz, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, and former Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Yuval Diskin.
MK Erel Margalit told the Knesset Channel that he was considering running as well for the post, which he sought in the past.
Yacimovich called upon her supporters last week to join Labor ahead of the next leadership race. She has been increasingly critical of Herzog lately, including his decision to not immediately use a probe of Likud MK Oren Hazan to try to bring down the government.
Polls have been taken recently in which respondents were asked about a potential Huldai candidacy for prime minister. But it has not been proven whether Huldai had any connection to the polls.
Huldai’s associates have said he is not ruling out any option. He has indicated that he would not seek another term as Tel Aviv mayor.
Labor activists have noticed that he has started attending more of the party’s functions.
A source in the party said he was on poor terms with Herzog.
Herzog announced at Monday’s Labor faction meeting that the party’s director-general, Shimon Batat, was leaving his post. He will be replaced by Shoham Deputy Mayor Gilad Rabinowitz.