Likud Faces Urgent Petition to Remove Hadar Mukhtar from Primary Candidate List

An urgent petition was filed within the Likud party demanding the removal of Hadar Mukhtar from the upcoming primary election candidate list. The petition argues that Mukhtar's name remains on the official list despite missing the deadline for receiving the required approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to shorten her campaign period (Pazam). This omission allegedly misleads party members, as her candidacy status is inaccurately presented as still pending and valid.

The petition emphasizes that the Likud party's official candidate list must reflect accurate and current information, as party members rely on it for decision-making. The presence of an asterisk next to Mukhtar's name, indicating she is awaiting the Pazam shortening, is said to exacerbate the confusion by implying a possibility that no longer exists. The petitioner also claims this situation violates the principle of equality among candidates, as Mukhtar gains public exposure and status without meeting the necessary conditions.

The controversy around Mukhtar's candidacy stems from internal disagreements within Netanyahu's office. Some officials opposed shortening her campaign period, arguing she does not fit the party's image needs for the upcoming elections. Others supported her, citing her strong youth following on social media. Mukhtar herself publicly appealed for the right to run like other candidates, highlighting her extensive grassroots efforts over the past year.

The petition calls for immediate removal of Mukhtar's name from the list and insists that official party publications must accurately represent the current and binding status of all candidates. The Likud primaries are scheduled for 2026, with the final decision on Mukhtar's candidacy still pending.