Dalia Itzik and Tzahi Hanegbi win big in Kadima primaries
Gil Hoffman and jpost.com staff , THE JERUSALEM POST Dec. 17, 2008
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It took three attempts, but after computer problems forced the postponement
of Labor's primary and caused long lines at polling stations in the Likud's,
computerized voting was trouble-free in Kadimas primary. Knesset Speaker
Dalia Itzik took the lead during Wednesday's vote with MK Tzahi Hanegbi
following directly after her.

The voting was eased by the large number of polling stations and by
relatively low turnout. Turnout was slightly over 44 percent, significantly
lower than the 54% in Labor and the 50% in Likud.

"We gave Kadima members the ability to vote quietly without waiting in
line," Kadima director-general Moshe Shehori said. "We hope we opened the
door to computer voting in Israel."

Four women appeared among the top-ten places on the party's list which was
announced at 2:15 a.m. (Israel time): Kadima Leader and Foreign Minister
Tzipi Livni (1), Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz (2), Itzik (3), Hanegbi
(4), Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On (5), Construction and Housing Minister
Ze'ev Boim (6), Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit (7), Tourism Minister Ruhama
Avraham-Balila (8), Public Security Minister Avi Dichter (9) and MK Marina
Solodkin(10).

The following are names of those Kadima members voted in places 11 to 40 on
the party's Knesset list, as read out by primary committee head Judge Dan
Arbel:

Kadima faction chairman Yoel Hasson (11), Environmental Protection Minister
Gideon Ezra (12), MK Ya'acov Edri (13), Immigration and Absorption Minister
Eli Aflalo (14), Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski (15), MK Ronit Tirosh
(16), Vice Premier Haim Ramon (17), Nahman Shai (18), MK Shlomo Mula (19),
Robert Tibiev (20), MK Majali Wahaba (21), Rachel Adato (22), MK Yohanan
Plesner (23), MK Shai Hermesh (24), MK Yisrael Hasson (25), Ariyeh Bibi
(26), MK Otniel Schneller (27), Orit Zuaretz (28), Yulia Shamalov Berkovich
(29), Nino Absadsa (30), Itzhak Ben-Yisrael (31), Avner Barazani (32), Doron
Avital (33), Avi Duan (34), Proff. Menahem Ben-Sasson (35), Attorney Yuval
Stellner (36), Dr. Akram Hasson (37), Ahmed Dabah (38), MK David Tal (39)
and Dima Rosinski (40).

Earlier, Livni told reporters at a Tel Aviv polling station where she voted
that she had full confidence that voters would prefer Kadima's list to
Likud's and Labor's candidates.

"We will win with this list and we will lead with it when this vote is
concluded," Livni said. "Each and every Kadima member wishes to see a list
that is best for the country."

Kadima strategist Lior Chorev said the party would unveil a new campaign to
build on the momentum from the primary. The campaign, which will be unveiled
next week in a rally at the Jerusalem International Convention Center, will
paint Livni as a leader while reminding people of Likud chairman Binyamin
Netanyahu's past failures.

Chorev was boosted by the results of a poll taken for Channel 2 by Ma'agar
Mohot's Yitzhak Katz, which predicted that Likud would win 29 seats and
Kadima 25. The same pollster took a poll last month that found that the gap
between the parties was 11 mandates, 34 to 23.

"This will force [Likud chairman Binyamin] Netanyahu to end his silence,
debate Tzipi and face the public," Chorev said.