Law-enforcement sources warned that the resignation of Likud’s legal adviser, Avi Halevi, could accelerate checks into the party and possibly lead to additional investigations of its members, in connection with the election-fraud affair exposed by Channel 13. Halevi, who held the post for more than three decades and was expected to handle the case personally, is said to have informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week that he was leaving and submitted a resignation letter.
According to the sources, the move could also trigger developments at the Tax Authority and with the attorney general. Halevi reportedly fell out with party members after insisting that allegations of fraud in the internal elections be addressed.
In his letter, Halevi wrote that after much thought he would end his tenure as Likud legal adviser on 19 June 2026. He thanked Netanyahu for his trust and for the opportunity to serve the party for many years and help advance its path.
The investigation stems from findings revealed about four months ago in the main evening broadcast, which uncovered serious irregularities and harm to the integrity of Likud’s internal elections. A party review found that a third party paid registration fees for more than 2,500 candidates for the Likud conference, in violation of the law. The findings, backed by official documents, raised concerns about an attempt to take control of party institutions and entire branches across the country. The suspicion arose after a petition for membership-fee refunds, when a large gap was found between the list of people entitled to refunds and the number of credit cards that actually made the payments. Likud treasurer CPA Liran Adri identified 2,513 cases in which candidates did not pay the participation fee themselves, including 694 candidates slated to serve on the party central committee.
