Israeli political insiders have focused their attention this week on internal battles within the ruling Likud party. Though widely expected to return to power equally strong or stronger, the party of incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has far more politicians seeking office than Knesset seats it is expected win. Meanwhile veteran politicians from other parties are also falling by the wayside. Sitting Science Minister Daniel Hershkowitz, of the Jewish Home party, announced his departure from politics. The development throws his small faction, which is a perennial coalition partner for Israeli parties across the political spectrum, into a leadership struggle between veteran legislator Zevulun Orlev and Netanyahu’s former chief of staff and a high-tech millionaire Naftali Bennett.

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