Likud Member David Bitan Urges Members to Vote Against Netanyahu's Primary Rules Proposal

Ahead of the Likud party vote on the primary election rules and reserved spots requested by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset member David Bitan called on the Likud Central Committee members to vote against the proposal. Bitan emphasized the importance of the vote not only for the upcoming election but for future ones as well, stressing the need to maintain Likud as a democratic and close-knit movement where every member's vote counts equally alongside Knesset members. He urged voters to rely on their own judgment rather than on videos from ministers and MKs, stating, "You can influence today. Do not be impressed by videos from ministers and MKs, be impressed only by your own stance." Bitan promised that after the vote, they would negotiate with Netanyahu to reach agreements without succumbing to the pressure from Central Committee chairman Haim Katz, who Bitan accused of trying to create a faction within the party. Bitan also criticized Netanyahu for allowing Katz to secure reserved spots that, according to Bitan, would not strengthen the party but weaken it. He concluded by calling on members to vote against all proposals presented by both Netanyahu and Katz to demonstrate an independent position for the future benefit of Likud. In a related development, the party court rejected Netanyahu's request, marking a setback for the Prime Minister.