Netanyahu Signals Possible Cancellation of Likud Primaries Amid Security Concerns

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated on Sunday that if the current security situation prevents holding primaries within the Likud party, the party list for the upcoming elections will be determined by a special organizing committee. This statement came during a closed conference and aligns with Netanyahu's initial preference to avoid primaries.

Netanyahu hinted at canceling the primaries during a meeting with Likud local leaders in the Modi'in region. Likud sources told ynet that this move is seen as an attempt by Netanyahu to pressure the party's Constitution Committee to approve any decision he demands. Meanwhile, the party's central committee postponed a vote on Netanyahu and Minister Haim Katz's proposal to reserve spots on the party list, likely pushing the vote to Thursday to allow Netanyahu more time to finalize his decision.

The Constitution Committee, with Netanyahu present, is currently reviewing the reservation proposal before it goes to the central committee. This ongoing saga follows a recent party court ruling that ordered a re-discussion of Netanyahu's demand for reserved slots after a last-minute petition canceled the initial vote scheduled for last Thursday.

Likud MK David Bitan, opposing the reservation proposal, criticized Katz's approach, warning it risks damaging the party's democratic processes and unity. Bitan stated that the reserved slots could be worse than having the list decided by an organizing committee and suggested that after rejecting the proposal, they would negotiate a reasonable agreement with Netanyahu.

As the internal Likud debate continues, Netanyahu's suggestion to bypass primaries in favor of a committee-appointed list remains a significant possibility amid the party's efforts to finalize its candidate list for the next Knesset elections.