Netanyahu Declines to Intervene in Likud Primary Fraud Allegations Amid Internal Dispute

Minister Gila Gamliel recently discussed her allegations of fraud in the Likud party primaries with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite her claims, Netanyahu has decided not to intervene in the matter for now. The party's election committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow, but expectations are that Gamliel will not benefit from the recount in the Ba'er Ya'akov polling station and will likely drop to 35th place on the list.

Earlier today, Gamliel filed a complaint with the police's Lahav 433 unit, though it is unlikely the complaint will be investigated before the candidate lists are finalized. In an interview with Kan News on Reshet Bet, Gamliel accused Minister Haim Katz of attempting to secure a spot on the list for his associate Eti Atiya at her expense. She described the situation as corrupt and a deliberate attempt to steal votes in a dark and dishonest manner.

Gamliel questioned how the company managing the elections, which set up the polling committee and counted the votes, could suddenly change the results. She also alleged that before the recount in Ba'er Ya'akov, 170 votes were inexplicably added to Atiya's tally to surpass Boaz Aharon. She warned that votes might have been tampered with inside the ballot boxes, calling the situation lawless.

Separately, Netanyahu is reportedly considering reserving Knesset seats for candidates who were pushed down in the primaries amid the fierce competition and fraud allegations. The ongoing turmoil highlights deep divisions within the Likud party ahead of the upcoming elections.