Last-Minute Votes Could Flip Key Positions in Likud Primary Results

A dramatic situation has emerged in the Likud party primaries as about 50 votes cast in double envelopes in Jerusalem and Ashdod have yet to be counted due to technical issues. These votes, if included, could change the ranking of candidates vying for the 14th and 15th spots on the party list. Currently, Boaz Bismuth leads David Bitan by a narrow margin of just 16 votes, but the disputed ballots could allow Bitan to overtake Bismuth.

The controversy began on election day when around 100 Likud members were permitted to vote using double envelopes after technical glitches prevented their membership status from being recognized in the system. Approximately half of those authorized actually voted, but their ballots have not been added to the final tally. Jonathan Tal, associated with the "Faithful to the Temple Mount" faction and close to Minister Miki Zohar and the Albouyim family, is behind the group of members who voted this way. However, Tal now seeks to block the counting of these votes, claiming discrepancies between the approved voters and the submitted lists.

David Bitan denies Tal's allegations, accusing him of dishonesty. Due to the dispute, the Likud party's court president, Attorney Michael Kleiner, has ordered a freeze on counting the contested votes until Tal submits a formal affidavit by 7 p.m. confirming his claims and providing the relevant voter list. If the affidavit is submitted on time, the votes will remain excluded until a hearing before a three-judge panel of the Likud court. Should the votes be validated, they could decisively alter the outcome between Bitan and Bismuth.

This development adds uncertainty to the final composition of the Likud list ahead of upcoming elections, with the party yet to officially publish the final results. The close race and legal dispute highlight internal tensions within the party and the critical importance of every vote in determining candidate rankings.