Likud Primaries Set to Proceed Despite Legal Challenges and Security Concerns

Following recent legal disputes and internal party debates, the Likud party is moving forward with its planned primaries to select its candidate list for the 26th Knesset. The decision comes after the Social Forum movement, aligned with the National Labor Federation, retracted its legal petitions challenging the internal election process, signaling a consensus to hold the primaries as scheduled.

The District Court hearing on the Social Forum's petition concluded on Monday, easing tensions among senior Likud officials who had feared the primaries might be canceled due to ongoing legal proceedings. Subsequently, the Likud leadership and the Social Forum began negotiating a compromise framework to ensure a democratic and transparent election process representing approximately 150,000 Likud members.

Yesterday, the Likud Constitution Committee approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed changes to the primary election system. The new format includes eight reserved slots for the party leader up to position 33 on the list, with district candidates placed from position 34 onwards. Twenty-four seats will be elected through a nationwide vote, guaranteeing female representation, which secures a spot for MK Eti Atiya, an ally of Minister Haim Katz.

Additionally, the committee approved a clause granting Netanyahu authority to appoint a "regulating committee" of five mayors to manage the list formation in case of a security emergency that restricts gatherings. Despite Netanyahu's statement supporting this arrangement, some party members remain concerned about the primaries' feasibility.

However, the implementation of this new framework is pending further legal developments. A temporary court injunction remains in effect, preventing the Likud central committee from voting to approve the changes until a new ruling is issued. If the Likud court rejects the proposal, Netanyahu may attempt to bypass the decision by seeking approval directly from the party convention. The final advancement of the primaries also depends on the publication of the official voter registry, expected on July 26.