Netanyahu Faces Growing Pressure to Use Controversial Clause to Save Avi Dichter in Likud Primaries

Following the recent Likud primaries, a new internal struggle has emerged within the party's leadership. One particular outcome from the primaries has caused significant concern among senior members, leading to increased pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The focus is on a controversial clause in the Likud election rules, approved by the party's Constitution Committee before the primaries, which could allow Netanyahu to promote a candidate who ran in the primaries to a slot reserved for the party chairman's picks, pushing the reserved slot to a lower position. This mechanism, informally dubbed "the scream," could be used to reinstate Avi Dichter into a realistic spot on the party list, potentially saving his political career. The move has sparked debate and controversy even before the primary vote took place, highlighting tensions within Likud's top ranks as they prepare for the 2026 elections.