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Nov. 19, 2002

Eitam threatens to quit over slot for woman

By Etgar Lefkovits

National Religious Party chairman Effi Eitam threatened to resign Monday if his party's central committee does not approve his recommendation to reserve the fifth spot on its Knesset list for a woman when it meets on Tuesday.

While the party's five MKs reportedly backed the recommendation, at least publicly, some members of the central committee had voiced opposition out of concern it might preclude a veteran MK from being reelected.

A spokesperson for Eitam said Monday that he is 'confident' the central committee will approve the move and Eitam is not about to resign.

The resignation threat comes after two of his earlier proposals - to run a joint list with the National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu and to reserve places on the Knesset list for individuals he selects - were nixed.

In the last election, the eighth spot on the list was reserved for a woman, but the party won only five seats.

The latest polls indicate the NRP will win four or five seats.

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