Likud MK David Bitan Appeals Election Results Citing Serious Voting Irregularities
Likud Member of Knesset David Bitan filed an appeal on Monday challenging the results of the Likud party's internal elections, alleging significant voting irregularities. In a letter to the chairman of the Likud election committee, retired judge Menachem Naaman, Bitan demanded an immediate and thorough investigation into what he described as "serious irregularities" during the party conference vote on proposed party bylaws. Bitan, through his attorney Yifat Meirovitz Yafet, claimed that polling station workers were instructed by Likud management not to record objections or remarks in the official protocols, violating election regulations and legal standards.
Bitan also pointed to specific polling stations across Israel where he alleged that valid votes opposing proposals by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud Central Committee chairman Haim Katz were wrongly disqualified, while invalid votes supporting their proposals were counted as valid. Another Likud activist, Dor Harlap, submitted a separate petition to the party court, supported by affidavits from observers at polling stations in Kfar Saba, Petah Tikva, and Beersheba, also alleging significant voting irregularities.
The vote in question was crucial, as Netanyahu sought to secure eight reserved spots on the party's Knesset list up to the 29th position, a move unprecedented since he became Likud leader. These reserved slots included positions 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 23, 26, and 29. Reports indicated that one reserved spot was promised to Minister Haim Katz, with speculation that it might be transferred to his ally MK Eti Atiya or that she might receive an additional reserved spot. Another reserved spot was intended for Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, with Deputy Minister Michel Buskila possibly receiving one as well.
After three postponements and ongoing disputes, the Likud Central Committee narrowly approved Netanyahu's proposal to grant him eight reserved spots on the party list. However, a related initiative supported by Katz and Netanyahu to allow ministers and sitting MKs to run in specific districts passed by a slim margin of just five votes, with 1,678 in favor and 1,673 opposed.
