Yigal Dilmoni, Vice-President of the Yesha Council has announced that he intends to run in the Bayit Yehudi primaries. Dilmoni, who has been a public advocate of the Israeli communities in Yehuda and Shomron for over two decades announced his decision on Tuesday afternoon 17 Kislev, stating: “ I have spent over twenty years working on behalf of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria on the ground. I feel that now is the time to work from within the government alongside my old friend and former colleague Naftali Bennett”.

Dilmoni, 44, is a father of five and resident of the Samarian community of Avnei Chafetz. He has worked for the Yesha Council since 2010, when he began as deputy to the then CEO, Naftali Bennett. Known as a man of action, he has been at the forefront of all the organizations major initiatives in recent years. Most well-known for his position as the official domestic voice and spokesman of the Yesha Council, he is a regular commentator in Israeli print and broadcast media.

It appears that the optimism in recent polls, some placing Bayit Yehudi at 20 seats, has prompted many to think about entering the race, each hoping to land a realistic slot on the lineup to enter Knesset, and for some, to become a cabinet minister.

Another person who announced he is joining the race is Nechemia Refel, the CEO of the Kibbutz HaDati Movement. He explained to the press that he represents the “moderate dati leumi” camp and will be viewed as the left-winger in the party.

Dr. Ronen Shoval, a former head of the Im Tirtzu organization has also announced he may enter the race for a slot on the dati leumi ticket. Former IDF Chief Rabbi Avichai Ronsky also joined the race for a slot on the party’s Knesset lineup.

The party has launched a major campaign in the hope of signing up new members under the banner “Bayit Yehudi – bigger than the entire left”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)