Channel 10 News reported HaGaon HaRav Dov Lior Shlita; the mora d’asra of the right-wing Ichud HaLeumi Party has removed MK Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh) as the head of the list. Aides to the rav did not deny the report.

Dati leumi news sources add the move will likely result in a conflict between Rav Lior and HaGaon HaRav Zalman Melamed Shlita. Katz is very close to Rav Melamed and is viewed as his shaliach in Knesset.

The reason for the rav’s decision surrounds efforts by Katz to remove MKs Dr. Michael Ben-Ari and Prof. Aryeh Eldad from the lineup.

Katz on Thursday morning, 11 Iyar 5772 told Arutz-7 that the report is simply untrue. He added that Rav Lior conducts such meetings in person, not by phone or messenger but face-to-face.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)