Netanyahu Pushes for Likud Primaries Amid Internal Party Disputes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with Likud local leaders to discuss the party's internal primary election process amid growing tensions over the voting method. Netanyahu expressed his opposition to a committee-based selection system and support for holding primaries, but added that he would lead a committee if a national or security emergency necessitated it. The meeting, held without aides or media, appears aimed at securing backing from Likud municipal leaders as the timeline for the primaries tightens.

The Likud Constitution Committee is scheduled to meet in Petah Tikva to reconsider Netanyahu's proposal to change the primary system and reserved slots on the party's candidate list for the 26th Knesset. This follows a party court ruling requiring a reevaluation after legal challenges halted the approval process. The agenda includes reviewing submitted proposals, approving new regulations, and conducting votes.

Last Thursday, a last-minute court injunction stopped a vote by about 4,500 Likud Central Committee members on the reserved slots plan, causing significant financial damage to the party. Likud accused the petitioners of exploiting a clerical error to mislead the court and disrupt the election process. Due to these legal delays, Netanyahu ordered the vote postponed and a new date set. Under the proposed plan, Netanyahu would receive eight reserved slots on the party list, including three in the top ten.

Opposition to the plan is led by MK David Bitan, who warns that the reserved slots could harm the party's electoral prospects. Earlier, Likud local leaders were summoned to an emergency meeting in the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council, warned that recent events risk losing political power. The meeting was restricted to local leaders only, without aides or press.