Likud Faces Internal Turmoil as Primaries Proceed Amid Political Accusations

The Likud party is embroiled in controversy over its upcoming primaries, following a ruling by the party's court that they must proceed despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to cancel them due to a special security situation. This decision has intensified internal divisions within the party.

Ahead of the vote at the party conference, the number of guaranteed slots for Netanyahu on the party list was increased to eight, allowing 29 Knesset members, ministers, and deputy ministers to compete in the primaries. Likud MK David Bitan publicly declared that the primaries will take place and criticized the silence of Likud ministers, accusing them of fearing retaliation from Netanyahu loyalists, whom he called "Bibists." Bitan also accused Minister Haim Katz of orchestrating a "political deal" with Netanyahu that harms the party.

Bitan questioned the definition of an emergency situation that could justify canceling the primaries, stating that unless there is a severe crisis like the first month of the war, the vote should proceed. He also commented on tensions between Likud and ultra-Orthodox parties, warning that while the ultra-Orthodox are unlikely to oppose Likud, the political cost after elections will be significant.

Simultaneously, Dimona Mayor Benny Biton called for canceling the primaries, arguing that in the current era of conflict, the prime minister needs full support rather than internal competition. He noted that most Likud Knesset members and ministers prefer to avoid primaries and predicted the party would increase its seats to 30 in the next election.

The internal dispute highlights ongoing challenges within Likud as Netanyahu faces opposition from within his own ranks over the party's leadership and election strategy.