2012 The Jewish Home leadership election
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5 November 2012
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The 2012 The Jewish Home leadership election was held on 5 November 2012[1] to elect the leader of The Jewish Home party. The election took place in advance of the 2013 Israeli legislative election.[2] Naftali Bennett was elected as leader, defeating Zevulun Orlev.[1]
A month before the leadership election, incumbent leader Daniel Hershkowitz announced that he would not contend.[1]
The Jewish Home was founded in 2008 as a merger of the National Religious Party and the National Union,[3] who previously ran on a joint ticket in the 2006 election.[4] The party's first leader was Daniel Hershkowitz, a mathematician who was chosen by a special committee led by Yaakov Amidror.[5] In the 2009 election, the party was elected to the Knesset, winning 3 seats.[6] The party then joined the newly-formed second Netanyahu government.[7]
On 19 April 2012, the party decided to hold a membership census, which would be followed by elections to the party's leadership and electoral list in September.[8] The census began on 22 April,[9] but ended in early September.[10] As a result, the leadership election took place in November.[11] On 17 May, Member of the Knesset Zevulun Orlev announced his intention to run for leadership,[12] challenging Hershkowitz.[13] On 21 May, former Yesha Council chairman Naftali Bennett announced his campaign.[14]
Candidates
- Naftali Bennett, former chief of staff for Benjamin Netanyahu, former chairman of the Yesha Council, co-founder of the My Israel movement.[1]
- Yehuda Cohen[15]
- Zevulun Orlev, Member of the Knesset, former leader of the National Religious Party, former Minister of Welfare and Social Services.[16][17]
Withdrawn
- Daniel Hershkowitz, incumbent party leader, Member of the Knesset and Minister of Science and Technology.[18] (endorsed Orlev)[19]
Campaign
On 19 October, Bennett, Orlev and Hershkowitz participated in a televised debate held on Channel 2 and hosted by Amit Segal. The debate took place a day after the National Union merged into the Jewish Home.[20] On 22 October, Hershkowitz announced his withdrawal from the election and endorsed Orlev.[19]
