Pinehas Idan Accepts Netanyahu's Decision to Expel Him from Likud Amid Airport Disruptions

Pinehas Idan, chairman of the Airport Authority workers' committee, officially informed the Likud party's disciplinary court that he will not appeal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to expel him from the party. In a letter to Michael Kleiner, head of the Likud court, Idan acknowledged Netanyahu's determination that he was the disruptive element causing harm to the party and expressed his acceptance of the decision despite his family's five-decade-long membership in Likud.

The decision follows significant disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport linked to protests against the judicial reform. Although the party court had previously decided not to expel Idan after the first airport shutdown about a year ago, recent severe disturbances prompted Netanyahu to finalize the expulsion. Idan firmly denied giving the order to halt airport operations and stated he demanded a thorough investigation to identify who was responsible for the directive.

In recent days, Idan had sharply criticized Netanyahu in media interviews, downplaying the significance of being a Likud central committee member and asserting his long-standing affiliation with the party predates Netanyahu. However, his official letter adopted a more respectful tone, emphasizing his continued commitment solely to representing the airport workers. He concluded by wishing Netanyahu, his family, and Likud members a happy new year and holiday, signaling a desire to close the matter with dignity despite recent tensions.