Likud Court Blocks Ministers From Running in Primaries, Shaping Party Power Dynamics

The Likud party's judicial tribunal recently ruled against a move promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Haim Katz, deciding that current and former Knesset members, ministers, and deputy ministers cannot run in the party's primary elections by district. This decision highlights the significant influence of the Likud court within the ruling party.

The Likud court serves as the party's judicial body with authority over all internal matters, including disputes among members and institutions related to the party's constitution. It can issue temporary or final orders and impose sanctions such as warnings, suspensions, expulsions, fines, and legal costs, but it does not set party policy.

The court's judges are personally selected by the Likud convention, which caps the number of judges at 15, including a president. The current panel, chosen 12 years ago, includes President Michael Kleiner and six other lawyers qualified to serve as district court judges and party members.

The court frequently addresses issues related to decisions made by the Likud Central Committee, which has evolved over the years. Critics within the party, including ministers and Knesset members, argue that the committee is dominated by activists who recruit family and friends, consolidating control over decisions. Netanyahu views the committee as problematic and overly controlled by activists, preferring that key decisions be made by the broader party membership to better reflect the general electorate.

In the current election cycle, Netanyahu aims to engage more with the general party members rather than just the Central Committee, seeking outcomes that represent a wider voter base.