Netanyahu Files Petition to Expel Likud Member Pinchas Idan Over Ben Gurion Airport Shutdown

Prime Minister and Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted a petition to the Likud party court seeking to expel Pinchas Idan from the party. The petition follows a major disruption at Ben Gurion Airport on August 20, 2026, which Netanyahu alleges was a politically motivated shutdown orchestrated by Idan. Netanyahu's petition relies heavily on a prior 2024 court ruling that warned Idan against repeating such actions, stating that anyone who initiates a political strike to pressure a Likud-led government has no place in the party.

The airport disruption occurred on one of the busiest summer days, with over 100,000 passengers expected on approximately 600 flights. Starting around noon, severe operational disturbances unfolded, including closed check-in counters, baggage handling issues, blocked parking entrances, and a temporary halt to landings lasting about an hour. Thousands of passengers were stranded for hours, and some flights were delayed or diverted. The Israel Airports Authority attributed the disruptions to work disturbances under the direction of the workers' committee, which had also ceased overtime hours.

Idan denies that a strike or planned labor action took place, attributing the disruptions to severe physical and mental exhaustion among workers. He claims no wage or benefit demands were made and blames the crisis on staffing shortages and poor working conditions. The Likud court will need to determine whether the disruptions were a labor issue or a politically motivated act as Netanyahu contends. Netanyahu highlights the timing, just after his and Minister Miri Regev's visit to the airport and while the Transport Minister was abroad, as suspicious.

The petition also references statements attributed to Idan suggesting he acted independently and politically, including comments about responding to the Transport Minister's requests "because of the elections" but not accounting to anyone else. Netanyahu argues that if the disruptions were politically intended to harm the government, they effectively aided opposition parties, justifying Idan's expulsion under Likud's constitution. He requests the court impose a membership termination rather than a mere warning or temporary suspension, citing the significant economic damage estimated at 25-30 million shekels and the severe public service impact.

The Likud court is expected to hear the case within 30 days and issue a ruling within 30 days after the hearing. The outcome will hinge on the court's assessment of the nature and intent of the airport disruptions and whether they violate party rules against actions harming Likud or the government it leads.