Netanyahu Discusses Potential Shift to Committee Vote in Unusual Security Situation at Likud Primaries

Dramatic recordings from a Likud Constitution Committee meeting reveal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance on possibly replacing party primaries with a committee vote under exceptional security conditions. The meeting took place recently, with participants’ mobile phones confiscated to prevent leaks, following previous unauthorized recordings. Despite these precautions, the full recordings were obtained by News 14.

Netanyahu emphasized his support for maintaining primaries, noting their value in involving 80,000 to 100,000 voters and producing better results. However, he acknowledged that in a severe security emergency, such as a directive from the Home Front Command banning gatherings, holding physical voting would be impossible. In such cases, he suggested transitioning to a committee vote mechanism. He clarified that only a physical impossibility to conduct voting on election day or immediately before would justify this shift, rejecting electronic voting as an option.

The meeting also exposed internal tensions, with some committee members expressing anger over six reserved slots intended to ensure female representation, which were allegedly manipulated to favor associates of MK Haim Katz, Eti Atiya, and Keti Shitrit. Participants demanded that candidates compete fairly without such arrangements.

Concerns were raised about potential misinterpretation of Netanyahu’s remarks by the opposition and media, fearing a campaign portraying him as trying to cancel elections. There was also apprehension about legal challenges within the party, prompting calls to clearly document the discussion in the meeting minutes to avoid confusion and future petitions.

The Likud Constitution Committee convened to approve Netanyahu’s new proposal, reflecting ongoing preparations for the party’s primary elections amid Israel’s complex security environment.