By Shelly Paz | Jerusalem Post

Aleli Admasu, an unknown father of five from Rishon Lezion, surprised everyone by winning the 30th spot on the Likud Knesset candidates list in Monday’s primary, reserved for an immigrant.

“I didn’t believe the results myself. It was a great surprise for me, too, but I am very happy and glad that this is what Likud members and especially the members of the [Ethiopian] community wanted and chose,” he said Tuesday.

Admasu defeated candidates endorsed by party chairman Binyamin Netanyahu and Jewish Leadership faction leader Moshe Feiglin.

“The Ethiopian community in Israel has been loyal to the Likud for many years and this achievement is a big hug from the Ethiopian community,” Admasu said.

The first slot reserved for immigrants, No. 21, went to Netanyahu’s choice, current Kadima MK Ze’ev Elkin, who was born in Kharkov, Ukraine, in 1971 and made aliya at age 19.

Admasu said he did not have the financial resources to promote his candidacy.