Israeli Minister Katz Curses Rival's Husband Amid Party List Dispute

A rare confrontation occurred within the Likud party on Sunday when Minister Haim Katz was filmed verbally abusing and making an obscene gesture towards Adv. Hovav Damari, the husband of Minister Gila Gamliel. The incident took place during a break in proceedings at the Likud party tribunal.

Video footage shows Katz making a middle finger gesture at Damari and then heard cursing him. Gamliel, present at the scene, intervened by pulling her husband away from Katz to de-escalate the situation.

The dispute stems from an ongoing internal struggle within Likud over Gamliel's placement on the party's electoral list. A recount of votes in Bnei Brak revealed that Eti Atia, who is reportedly close to Katz, surpassed Gamliel. This resulted in Gamliel being demoted from the 25th spot to the 35th, considered an unrealistic position for election.

Sources close to Gamliel have raised serious allegations regarding the vote recount, with Damari filing a police complaint for alleged fraud and forgery against Likud Director-General David Sharan, Minister Katz, and a security officer. Katz had previously responded to accusations of his involvement by posting the address of the Lahav 433 investigative unit.

The controversy over the election results has caused significant internal friction within Likud, with party members and branch leaders protesting the changes and alleging Katz's interference to benefit Atia. The latest incident marks a direct, documented escalation of this internal conflict.