Prof. Yitzhak Shaveh, the Nahal Sorek nuclear physicist whom Premier Menachem Begin chose as his preferred candidate for President, has informed the Premier that he would agree to run for the office. Meanwhile, Herut Party politicians began drumming up support for him within the Likud coalition ranks. The Knesset is to vote on April 5 and nominations must close 10 days earlier.
So far, Shaveh is the only declared candidate and he may well remain so if Begin’s supporters are successful in wooing votes for him. Labor’s Yitzhak Navon has made it clear that he will not run for the post unless assured of a good showing. Former Liberal Party leader Elimelech Rimalt, meanwhile, asserted that he is not a candidate.
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