Likud Cancels Party Conference Vote Amid Legal Disputes Over Netanyahu's Primary Proposal

The Likud party has once again canceled the primary elections vote scheduled for Tuesday at its party conference, due to ongoing legal petitions and an unresolved court case at the Lod District Court. The vote was intended for about 4,500 Likud Central Committee members to decide on a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Haim Katz, who also chairs the Likud Constitution Committee and Central Committee. Their proposal would grant Netanyahu eight reserved slots on the party list and approve the primary election regulations. The plan includes a clause that if security conditions prevent holding primaries, the party list would be determined by a special organizing committee.

The move has sparked internal conflict, with Knesset Member David Bitan leading opposition against Netanyahu's reserved slots, arguing they harm the party and reduce its electoral strength. Supporters of Netanyahu accuse Bitan of undermining the proposal behind the scenes. The main dispute centers on whether the Central Committee should vote solely on Netanyahu and Katz's proposal or also consider alternative plans, such as one from the "Social Forum" demanding regular primaries and fewer reserved slots for Netanyahu.

Likud insiders claim the repeated delays and legal challenges serve Netanyahu's interest by paving the way to cancel the primaries altogether, favoring a committee-appointed list instead. Representatives of the Social Forum, aligned with the National Union, emphasized their commitment to party unity and winning upcoming elections, stating they seek a clear framework soon and represent the voice of 150,000 Likud members.