Likud Minister Haim Katz Curses Minister Gila Gamliel's Husband Amid Election Dispute

A dispute over the Likud party's primary election results has escalated into a public confrontation, with Minister Haim Katz reportedly cursing the husband of Minister Gila Gamliel. Katz, who holds four ministerial portfolios, was recorded verbally abusing attorney Hovav Damari, Gamliel's husband, during a discussion about an appeal Gamliel filed with the Likud court. Gamliel and Damari accused Katz of "stealing the election" after the final primary results placed MK Eti Atiya, an associate of Katz, ahead of Gamliel. This demotion pushed Gamliel to the 35th spot on the party's list, jeopardizing her chances of re-election.

Sources close to Gamliel allege that the vote recount was rigged and have filed a petition seeking to prevent the adoption of the results. The controversy stems from alleged irregularities during the Likud primaries, prompting the party's election committee to convene and investigate. Issues examined include data entry errors that could have affected candidate rankings, particularly in the "Be'er Ya'akov" polling stations where a recount was conducted.

The disagreement between Gamliel and Katz over the Be'er Ya'akov recount led Gamliel to file a police complaint against Katz and Likud Director-General David Sharan. Gamliel's camp claims the ballot box was reopened without sufficient time for objections and that the recount process itself was fraudulent.