Concern grows in Likud that many may leave party

In the Likud, fears were growing Sunday morning that there could be a mass abandonment of central committee members in light of the results of the party primaries which were held Thursday. Party leaders expressed concern that many activists would leave in favor of Kadima. Sources from within the party headquarters estimated that, in certain situations, entire branch offices could leave the party. Party Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu's office denied the claims, saying that they did not expect a mass exodus or crisis among the party faithful, Army Radio reported Sunday morning.